Chris Davies, the newly appointed manager of Birmingham City, is making waves in the football world as he guides the club back to the Championship. Davies is making the move after spending most of his career in a more specialized coaching role. He extends a different view of management, confident that everything he’s been through will lead him into this new trial by fire.
Davies never regarded himself as a non-player. Yet, he would tell anyone that the premature retirement from playing does not lessen his grasp on the game. This is not how he sees it; rather, it’s his north star that shapes his approach to coaching. He continued, “I never thought of myself as a non-player. I still think of myself as a veteran player who retired early. Empathy directly informs my coaching philosophy. That’s my aim really in trying to shed a little bit of light on what it really is like to be a footballer.
His coaching experience ranges from youth development to handling some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Liverpool, Celtic, and Tottenham Hotspur. After cutting his teeth in assistant roles for a few years, Davies most recently worked at Spurs alongside Ange Postecoglou. At 40 years old, he bit on his first managerial role. Thinking back on his career journey, he said, “It has always been my goal to be a manager. I’ve had opportunities in the last few years that I didn’t think were quite right for me, but when this one came up I was obviously really keen.”
Davies has had a sudden dramatic effect at Birmingham. An instant success, he led them back to the Championship in his first season! This feat is a testament to his rare ability to connect with and cultivate talent. He is deeply informing his practice from those experiences at world-class clubs. He described how the emotional investment as a manager differs from that of an assistant: “The big difference I’ve noticed is the emotional side. You’re more heavily invested in every moment. As an aide you still want to win, but you’re not shouldering that same burden.
Davies understands that, no matter how celebrated or renowned his recent foe’s roster, managing such a glamorous machine carries inherent pressures. He has undergone extensive preparation for this responsibility by thinking back on his experiences within high-stakes, results-oriented environments. “I’ve worked very, very closely with some top managers for a long time so I knew what I was walking into,” he noted. Her confidence shines through as she sets her sights on the challenges to come. If anything I’m a more relaxed and upbeat manager, he points out. Being a chief and a No 1 is not hard for me. I relish the pressure and I crave that responsibility.
His vision for Birmingham goes beyond short-term success, while he admits it would be nice for the club to grow their stature beyond League One. Davies thinks that winning next month’s Vertu Trophy final would prove a huge turning point for the club. It will set a success oriented tone for their entire future. “Victory in the Vertu Trophy final, matched with the title, would be the perfect way to supercharge the journey Birmingham are on,” he said.
Birmingham City fans should be very encouraged with the prospect of this new direction under Davies’ stewardship. His commitment to nurturing skill and instilling a competitive mindset comes through in his no-nonsense style. With molds set and now a clear path to move forward, Davies has his sights set on leaving an indelible mark.
So as he looks back on his childhood decision to sign with Birmingham City, he does so with appreciation and purpose. “Thankfully, Spurs agreed for me to move here, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career by far,” he remarked.
Leave a Reply