Crewe Alexandra First Team Manager
Crewe Alexandra announced Steve Davis on November 10th 2011 as their new manager after Dario Gradi's decision to return his focus to our Academy as our Director of Football. Davis took control of the first-team with immediate effect.
Davis was regarded as a future manager of Crewe Alexandra ever since he was appointed assistant manager to former boss Gudjon Thordarson back in 2009. Although Thordarson was relieved of his duties in October 2009, Davis remained at the club as assistant manager to Dario Gradi during his third spell as manager.
As a former defender with Crewe Alexandra, Davis made 145 league appearances under Dario in the early 1980s before he enjoyed a successful playing career with the likes of Barnsley, Burnley and Oxford. He continued his playing days as a player/manager with Northwich Victoria before accepting a similar job at Nantwich Town in November 2003.
He led our local neighbours to unparalleled success leading the Dabbers to two successive promotions to reach the Unibond Premier League and FA Vase success in 2006 before his move to Crewe, which has ultimately lead to his first professional management role, and a position which Steve openly admits is a job close to his heart.
Steve took over a Crewe side marooned in mid-table, and nobody could have envisaged the remarkable change in fortunes that would follow. A 16 game unbeaten run would see the Alex gatecrash the play-off places, and after overcoming Southend United in the Play-Off Semi Final, Davis would guide Crewe to a 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town at Wembley to help the club to promotion to League One in his first season in professional management.
How do you follow up a season like that? Davis certainly came close. He guided Crewe to a comfortable mid-table finish and another trip to Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. A 2-0 victory over Southend saw Davis lift his second Wembley trophy within 12 months.
Davis also guided Crewe Alexandra to safety in League One after collecting 21 points in 23 games before Christmas. Crewe survived on the final day of the season thanks to a superb 2-1 win over play-off bound Preston North End. Tranmere Rovers were relegated instead.