Sheen 'exhilarated' by Clough role
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Michael Sheen has described recreating football legend Brian Clough's witty and outrageous outbursts as an 'exhilarating experience'.
Sheen, who plays Clough, in the film adaptation of the David Peace novel The Damned United, was speaking at its Leicester Square premiere.
He said he thought it was unlikely that there would ever be another Brian Clough.
'No one ever has or will compare to Brian Clough,' he said.
'He was one of the biggest stars we have ever had in whatever he did.
'He was funnier than anyone else, he was more outrageous than anyone else, he had more passion and he had a vision of the game that is unsurpassed.'
He added: 'You put all that together and you have a complete one-off. He is the Special One and no one else comes near him.'
Clough's family have boycotted the film and previously spoke out against the novel.
Sheen said he understood their concerns but insisted the movie was 'an affectionate portrayal'.
'If it was my family or a member of my family, I would feel the same way,' said Sheen.
'If they come and see the film they will see it's incredibly different to the book and it's an affectionate portrayal of the man.'
The Damned United, which covers Clough's ill-fated 44-day stint in charge of Leeds United, opens in cinemas across the UK on March 27.
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