Nigel Clough keen for speculation to end

Derby County manager Nigel Clough hopes that his decision to sign a new contract with the club will end any speculation regarding his future.

The 45-year-old has been linked with a number vacancies since he took over at Pride Park in 2009, the latest of which was the manager's post at Nottingham Forest.

Despite rumours that he was due for a move, Clough has insisted that he and his coaching staff have never considered leaving the Rams.

When asked whether he thinks the stories will now stop, Clough told Sky Sports News: "I hope so, in truth [the speculation] wasn't a great distraction.

"We certainly weren't putting our names around.

"All we wanted to do was continue the work that we started two and a half years ago."

Clough and his staff have now committed to the club until the summer of 2015.