Greenock Morton

Billy Davies in Managerial Return as New Morton Technical Head Coach Set to Cover Absent Dougie Imrie

Billy Davies is today set to return to the dugout, as Morton’s new Technical Head Coach steps in to cover for manager Dougie Imrie, who is absent from the Championship opener due to family matters. Davies will be pit against a Dunfermline side managed by Neil Lennon in this opening weekend clash at Cappielow. He confirmed his return to football with the Ton only weeks ago, taking on a role that sees him working alongside current manager Imrie, who has held the post in Greenock since 2021. This marks Davies’ first involvement in Scottish football since leaving Motherwell in 2001, having gone on to enjoy spells in the English game with Preston, Nottingham Forest, and Derby County, the latter earning promotion to the Premier League under his guidance. A former Dunfermline player, Davies, who has even been linked with the Scotland job in the past — revealed in an exclusive interview with SNN Sports that he had been scheduled to interview for the Rangers job shortly after their return to the Premiership. The move ultimately never materialised. Now in his new role at Morton, Davies is demonstrating his willingness to step in and support Imrie whenever needed, as he goes head-to-head with a coach today who has won all there is to win domestically in Scotland, both as a player and manager. Morton finished sixth last season, one place above Dunfermline, who showed a marked improvement in results following Lennon’s appointment. Imrie also holds the current bragging rights, having led the Ton to a 2–0 win over the Pars on the final day of last season. Morton described Davies’ appointment on their official website as a “clear message of intent ahead of the new campaign,” while Dunfermline recently tied Lennon down to a new two-year deal following the expiry of his short-term contract. Today’s encounter offers both sides an early chance to lay down a marker in what promises to be one of the most competitive Scottish Championship seasons in recent years.

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Billy Davies inspired Ryan Bertrand in the Champions League final

Ryan Bertrand won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 and spoke of how Billy Davies inspired him in what was the biggest achievement of his career. The left-back made his Champions League debut in the final and he remembered one key bit of advice that his former Nottingham Forest boss gave him. Bertrand was on loan at the Tricky Trees for one season back in 2010 and he learnt a lot under Davies. Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, the former England international was set to play in the biggest game of his life and he thought back to what Davies told him that calmed his nerves for the occasion: “So, I’ll be in the Champions League final and all I’m thinking about is Billy Davies. He used to say, this was playing against Derby, and we played them, so it’s a big game there. “I think we beat them 5-2 or something, but before the game he was just walking around the dressing room saying ‘play the game and not the occasion’, just walking around saying ‘play the game not the occasion’, and funnily enough when I was at that Champions League [final] when I was getting ready that’s all I could think of. “So, when I’m hearing the Champions League soundtrack and stuff which is amazing, and having that realisation of what this echo of just play this game, it’s just another game.” The 35-year-old was asked by the host if Davies’ advice worked on the night and he responded: “It did, it did. It actually worked alright playing against for example [Arjen] Robben was there and no matter how dangerous he was, I had that repetition against him when I was 16 because the more you play against a player, the more you become familiar with them.” Davies has returned to the game and is Greenock Morton’s new Technical Head Coach and will support Dougie Imrie on what promises to be an exciting season for the Ton.

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Billy Davies joins Morton as Technical Head Coach

Greenock Morton have made a statement of intent by appointing seasoned tactician Billy Davies as Technical Head Coach, joining forces with manager Dougie Imrie ahead of the new Scottish Championship season.   Represented by Superior Sports Management, Davies arrives with an impressive CV spanning Scotland and England. He first made waves as the youngest manager in the SPL at Motherwell, steering them from the bottom of the table to a top-four finish.   Billy told SNN Sports: “I’m delighted to be joining Greenock Morton and to have the opportunity to work alongside Dougie Imrie — a highly talented and ambitious young manager. It’s a role I’m genuinely excited about.”     His managerial journey also includes notable stints at Preston North End, Derby County, and Nottingham Forest. Most memorably, he masterminded Derby’s promotion to the Premier League in just 11 months, leading a defence that conceded just four goals at home in 23 league matches during that campaign. With seven Championship Manager of the Month awards, Davies ranks among the division’s most successful coaches, just behind the likes of Neil Warnock and Chris Hughton.   Davies will take a hands-on role in coaching and player development, aiming to build on the club’s recent progress and push Morton higher up the Scottish Championship table.   The appointment fits neatly into an ambitious vision shaped by Imrie and chairman John Laird. Both Davies and Imrie, who share representation through Superior Sports Management, have built a strong working relationship in recent years — one that promises to strengthen Morton’s on-field strategy.   Davies confident on the clubs vision & ambition: “After some in-depth discussions with the board — particularly with Chairman John Laird and Dougie — I’m confident in the club’s vision, and I’m proud to be part of their future plans and ambitions.”     Further details on his role will be unveiled in due course, but for now, it’s clear Greenock Morton are gearing up for a serious campaign.

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