Nigel Graham Pearson (born 21 August 1963) is an English football manager and former professional player who was most recently manager of OH Leuven. He previously managed Hull City, Southampton, Carlisle United, Leicester City and Derby County and was assistant manager for England Under-21s and Newcastle United. During his playing career, he was a defender and played for Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.
Pearson was born in Nottingham where he attended William Sharp Comprehensive School, and began his playing career with non-league Heanor Town before joining Second Division Shrewsbury Town in November 1981. He made his first-team debut in a 1–0 defeat at Oldham Athletic on the opening day of the 1982–83 season. Pearson's first Football League goal came on 12 March 1983 in a 3–1 win against Barnsley at Gay Meadow. Pearson ended the season with 39 out of a possible 42 starts as Shrewsbury finished in ninth place in the table.