Garry Birtles: Why is Billy Davies still out of work 18 months on from Nottingham Forest?
SO Gordan Strachan, a man who had been out of football since October 2010, has been handed a route back into the game.
Sacked from his last job, at Middlesbrough, Strachan subsequently found himself in the wilderness.
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Billy Davies
A frosty relationship with the media will not have helped his cause, with many unlikely to have championed him for jobs.
But he remains a popular choice, among fans at least, as the new manager of Scotland.
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His appointment, however, also got me thinking... about another man who must have fancied his chances of landing the role.
How many jobs, in the Championship, in Scotland and even in League One have been available since Billy Davies left Nottingham Forest? There must have been dozens.
For a short period of time, it is acceptable for your representatives to make noises about 'waiting for the right opportunity' or 'needing a break from the game'.
But it has now been 18 months since Davies' City Ground tenure came to an end.
Given his record, his successes at Preston, Derby and Forest, you would think he would be on many a chairman's list of candidates when jobs come up.
There are few men with a better record, in particular, at Championship level.
But, asides from a vague rumour linking him with the Blackburn job a few weeks ago, there has been literally nothing; no suggestion that he is close to a return.
Palace, Burnley, Blackpool, Bolton, Wolves, Barnsley and Bristol City, among others, have all had a change of management in recent times.
But none of those clubs plumped for Davies.
And now he has also been overlooked – or at least not seemingly considered – for a Scotland job that he would surely have relished.
Davies was always a good manager. He is a man that players seem to respond to.
But he also comes with a lot of baggage. Perhaps now that is starting to catch up with him.
Clubs no longer see a man who brought success to three clubs, but a man who made a circus of Forest's play-off clash with Swansea, by creating a side show out of his row with the club hierarchy and by issuing journalists with a list of questions they could and couldn't ask prior to the games.
The final season of his tenure at Forest was almost as memorable for his sniping with the board as it was for what was achieved on the pitch.
If you picked up a phone and asked those who had been in charge at Preston, Derby and Forest what Davies was like, what would they say?
Yes, they would doubtless tell you that he was a good manager. But the rest of those conversations would probably centre around the renowned baggage he brought with him.
Comments
by Armageddon
Thursday, February 07 2013, 2:58PM
“He isn't.”
by kel666
Tuesday, February 05 2013, 11:38AM
“Former Forest manager Billy Davies has emerged as an early favourite to replace McLeish.”
by lazarou73
Monday, January 28 2013, 12:52AM
“"Given his record, his successes at Preston, Derby and Forest"
Successes? Depends on what you call success I suppose. OK getting Derby promoted was a success but what followed it was horrendous. Although he improved Forest and Preston ultimately he failed as his goal at both clubs was surely to achieve promotion. I expect you'll be telling us next Garry that you were a success at Man Utd!!!”
by figaro1
Friday, January 18 2013, 2:35PM
“The ND interview is still available.
He said it was a big mistake appointing SM he didn't I repeat didn't say BD was a mistake.
So Brinders once again is correct and Oldref you are wrong.
BD has only landed 2 outside manageriai positions in his career Derby and Forest the rest have been internal caretaker then manager.
A future employer will have to sacrifice years of academy work have a massive check book and be prepared for none auto promotion.
Unfortunately managers are judged on legacy, development or auto promotion/cups.”
by RedinFrance
Friday, January 18 2013, 7:11AM
“Sisco Get a grip you fool BD is over what he didn't achieve was success
Yeah the team played with spirit but he destroyed the reserves and youth team set up and still failed!
Did he get us promoted ? No But guess what that wasn't Billy's fault Blackpool and Swansea had the cheek to be better than us!
You really need to get a life kid”
by Parvared
Thursday, January 17 2013, 10:54PM
“M15: Why is it that I have visions of you clutching a picture of Arthur in tears tonight?
Happy days are here again,
the skies above are clear again
let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again,”
by trickygaz
Thursday, January 17 2013, 8:40PM
“Garry,what a strange time to write this article.Knowng the divided opinions amongst forest fans over BD,(i was and still am a fan).Leave the mischief making to the tabloids & try & write
something constructive.this article seems pointless.Lets back the CURRENT MANAGER,the team & the owners.FTID”
by patbrett
Thursday, January 17 2013, 8:14PM
“M15, you will have plenty of time to tell Marthur, he's just been sacked as well!!!!!! ha ha, egg, face & on, spring to mind.”
by siscoreddog
Thursday, January 17 2013, 5:34PM
“Billy said ....he has unfinished business at forest ....cant wait for your return Billy ...it made those away matches incredible .....you have and always will have the true Nottingham Forest supporters who followed you home and away in our hearts ..we saw the true grit and passion you gave to the players ..and supporters ....even when we got back from swansea ...you were there to greet us and thank us personally ....come back billy for round2 !!!..after they get rid of Marthur of course !! ha..ha ...hopefully wont be long ....the sacking bug is back !!!”
by siscoreddog
Thursday, January 17 2013, 5:25PM
“...........HueyTheNoose ...i couldnt have put it better myself ..!!!!”