3 Use the internet to research this story from 1974. At this time, Leeds United was top of Division One (now the Premiership). Their manager was Don Revie, but the team was built around several strong and independent-minded players. Revie was appointed to replace (World Cup winner) Alf Ramsey as manager of the England team. His replacement was Brian Clough, a blunt-speaking Yorkshireman who had a mixed track record as a player and a manager.

Clough instantly wanted to change the way the side

(and the players) operated. The players resisted and the Leeds Board of Directors gave way to player power. Clough left after just 44 days in charge.

In the end, Clough benefited but Leeds United did not. The team’s ‘finest hour’ turned out to be behind it; changes really had been needed. Clough was appointed to Nottingham Forest where he was outstandingly successful.

The story of these events is told in The Damned United, which can be found as a film, a stage play and a book.

Can you identify similar, perhaps more recent, cases of ‘strategic leader instant failures’?