Brian Clough is a charismatic and outspoken football manager who takes over as the manager of Leeds United, succeeding the highly successful Don Revie. Clough's tenure at Leeds is fraught with tension, as he inherits a team that is fiercely loyal to Revie and deeply resistant to his different management style. The film oscillates between this tumultuous period and Clough’s earlier days at Derby County, where his rise to prominence is marked by ambition, strategic acumen, and a deep partnership with his assistant, Peter Taylor.

The narrative explores Clough’s rivalry with Revie and his obsession with besting him, which colors much of his professional life. The back-and-forth timeline highlights how the seeds of his eventual challenges at Leeds were sown during his tenure at Derby. Tensions escalate as Clough's relationship with his players and the club’s board deteriorate. The story underscores his struggles, triumphs, and the impact of his relentless drive for success. It ends by revealing the stark contrast between his managerial philosophies and those of his predecessor, setting the stage for the ultimate resolution of his career at Leeds United.