A team stuck at the bottom of the Football League, winless, and already with a manager. Not exactly the typical starting point for one of football’s most recognizable figures to launch a coaching career. Yet that’s precisely what unfolded in 2012.
This is the story of how Dutch legend Edgar Davids became player-head coach at Barnet, nearly kept them in the Football League, and then navigated a bizarre few months in the Conference. More than a decade later, he remains fondly remembered by Bees fans.
Through the accounts of those who worked with him at the club, it’s a tale of contrasts: Davids skipped some away games, wore the number one shirt, yet earned nothing during his 15 months in charge.
**’I think he just loved playing’ – How Barnet Landed Davids**
Image caption: Edgar Davids appointed himself captain.
First, the obvious question: why did one of the most celebrated midfielders of his generation join Barnet? This was a man with 74 caps for the Netherlands, multiple trophies with Ajax, Juventus, and Inter Milan, and stints at AC Milan, Barcelona, and Tottenham, before a brief comeback with Crystal Palace in 2010.
Two years later, he was still living in London, near Barnet, and playing Sunday League.
Chairman Anthony Kleanthous told BBC Sport: “He was trying to get his coaching badges for a UEFA Pro license, and part of that requires coaching at a mainstream club. So we saw an opportunity that could help him and help us. We got along great. He didn’t ask for any money, and the rest is history.”
Striker Jake Hyde called it “completely surreal.” He added: “There was a rumor in the morning, and everyone said, ‘No, obviously not.’ I said, ‘No way he’s coming to manage; he’s just visiting.'”
But on October 12, the then-39-year-old Davids was confirmed as Barnet’s joint head coach in his first managerial role. However, he also wanted to play.
“I don’t know how much he actually wanted to be a manager,” said Hyde, who became the top scorer under Davids with 20 goals. “If he did, he’d have started higher and waited for the right opportunity. I think he just loved playing.”
**’Two captains on one ship’ – The Joint Managers**
Image caption: Mark Robson (left) never managed again; he is now a coach at West Ham.
Davids arrived as joint boss alongside Mark Robson, who was four months into his first (and only) managerial stint, having failed to win in his opening 13 games, leaving Barnet five points adrift at the bottom of League Two.
Davids brought childhood friend Ulrich Landvreugd as his assistant manager. Their first match together ended in a 4-1 home defeat to Plymouth, but days later they beat Northampton 4-0, with Davids captaining the team and earning man-of-the-match honors.
“It was like turning back the clock 10 years to the peak of his career—an outstanding individual performance,” said then-director of football Paul Fairclough.
Results improved, but the Davids-Robson partnership wasn’t working.
“Ask any football manager if they want someone on their shoulder ready to take their job, and it was obvious where this was heading,” Fairclough said. “Edgar came in, and Mark took a back seat. You could see he wasn’t happy because Edgar was a big character.”
Assistant boss Landvreugd told BBC Sport: “There were two bosses, two captains on one ship. That’s difficult. Around Christmas, we had an away game, and something happened on the trip. For Edgar, it was enough. He went back, spoke to Kleanthous, and said it’s Mark or us. Kleanthous chose Edgar, and that was the end of Mark Robson.”
Kleanthous added: “I hoped they could work together, but within no time, it was clear to me that wasn’t going to happen.”
On December 28, Davids became the sole head coach.
**’Call me Mister’**
From the start, Davids tried to assert his authority, telling the players to call him ‘Sir’ or ‘Mr.’
