NETFLIX UNLEASHES THE UNDERDOG: THE RAW, FEARLESS STORY OF BRIAN CLOUGH AND DERBY COUNTY’S GREATEST REVOLUTION
Netflix is about to shake the football world to its core. The Underdog, a gripping and unapologetically real documentary centred on the legendary Brian Clough, is set to premiere on the 25th — and it promises to be nothing short of seismic. This isn’t a polished nostalgia trip or a gentle stroll through history. This is fire, fury, genius, and defiance. This is Brian Clough as he truly was.
For Derby County supporters, Clough isn’t just a former manager. He is the architect of belief. The man who took a club that dared to dream and turned it into champions. For football fans worldwide, he remains one of the sport’s most complex and compelling figures — adored, feared, misunderstood, and utterly unforgettable. The Underdog doesn’t shy away from any of it.
From the opening moments, the documentary makes its intent clear: this is a story about rebellion. About challenging authority. About tearing down accepted wisdom and rebuilding it in your own image. Brian Clough didn’t ask permission. He demanded attention. And Derby County became the stage for one of the most extraordinary transformations English football has ever seen.
Netflix dives deep into the early years, painting a vivid picture of a club far removed from glamour or expectation. Derby were outsiders. Overlooked. Dismissed. And then came Clough — sharp-tongued, fiercely intelligent, and absolutely convinced that he was right. What followed was not just success, but revolution.
Through rare footage, intimate interviews, and brutally honest storytelling, The Underdog captures the essence of Clough’s leadership. His belief in attacking football. His insistence that players express themselves. His refusal to bow to tradition simply because it existed. He didn’t want his teams to survive — he wanted them to dominate.
The documentary gives special attention to Clough’s relationship with Derby County’s players, revealing a manager who could be both ruthless and inspiring. He demanded loyalty, but he gave belief in return. Many who played under him describe a man who could make you feel ten feet tall — and then cut you down with a single sentence if standards slipped. That balance, Netflix suggests, was the secret to his success.
But The Underdog is not a highlight reel. It does not sanitize Clough’s flaws or soften his edges. His clashes with authority, his public feuds, his uncompromising personality — they are all laid bare. The documentary understands that Clough’s greatness cannot be separated from his contradictions. He was brilliant because he was difficult. He was successful because he was fearless.
For Derby County fans, the film is deeply emotional. It revisits the moments that defined an era — promotion, belief, glory — and places them in a wider context. This wasn’t just about winning matches. It was about changing how a club saw itself. Clough gave Derby County an identity that still echoes through Pride Park today.
The production quality is classic Netflix: cinematic visuals, sharp editing, and a narrative that grips from start to finish. The soundtrack pulses with tension and triumph, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of Clough’s journey. Every frame feels purposeful. Every quote feels loaded.
What makes The Underdog truly special is its relevance. In an era dominated by data, systems, and corporate thinking, Clough’s story feels almost rebellious again. He trusted instinct over algorithms. Personality over process. Football over politics. The documentary quietly asks a powerful question: could someone like Brian Clough exist in today’s game?
The answer, perhaps, is no — and that’s what makes this story so vital. The Underdog is not just about the past. It’s a reminder of what football can be when courage outweighs caution. When belief beats budget. When one man’s conviction ignites an entire club.
As the premiere date approaches, anticipation is building rapidly. Derby County supporters are circling calendars. Football fans across generations are preparing to relive — or discover — the Clough phenomenon. This is more than a documentary. It’s an event.
Netflix have not just released a film. They’ve opened a vault. Inside is a story of defiance, brilliance, and legacy. A story that proves underdogs don’t wait for permission — they take their place.
On the 25th, football history doesn’t just get remembered. It gets reawakened. 🐏🔥🎬
