Nigel Pearson's popularity rooted in his zest for people, places, adventure and football.
There are not many football managers I’ve dived into cold water for. I’ve done it twice for Nigel Pearson, one of the most fascinating, multi-layered people you could meet. Nigel loves exploring the great outdoors, whether cycling, hiking or swimming. On his 57th birthday four years ago, friends and acquaintances were invited to send him a surprise video message. I did mine from a local river clutching a bottle of his beloved real ale.
A few months later in 2020 we went for a walk in Dartmoor, found a rain-filled chalk pit and dived in. It was freezing, we quickly emerged laughing through chattering teeth. Things happen around Nigel. Even interviews are adventures.
Pearson’s football career is well known, as a strong defender at Shrewsbury, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough. As a manager, Pearson’s built teams, won relegation and fought against relegation (all at Leicester), dealt with difficult internal politics (Watford), coped with having to cut costs (Bristol City) and always kept his passion for the game.
He stoically continued managing while recovering from complications brought on by Covid, dealing with the trauma of losing his beloved mother (he took charge of Watford’s game the next day) and then suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that made it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.