Billy Davies opens up on Derby County and Preston North End battle amid 'major hassle' claim
Billy Davies has opened up on his decision to quit Preston North End for Derby County but admitted there was "major hassle" between the clubs over his switch to Pride Park.
In an interview with the Lancashire Post, Davies has recalled how he was wanted by Nottingham Forest, Stoke City, Charlton and Derby after leading the Lilywhites close to promotion to the Premier League.
Davies, who is hoping to return to the dugout, eventually made the switch to Pride Park in 2006 and he went on to guide Derby to the Premier League via the play-offs in his only season in charge. The Scot would then leave the club in November 2007 after questioning the lack of investment that would have helped them compete in the top flight.
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Recalling how his move to Derby came about after going close to promotion with Preston via the play-offs, Davies said: "What happens after that is that, as staff, we feel we have hit the bar and hit the post.
“And, with another season we are going to get there. That was the mindset. My adviser then got a call to say my CV was being touted all over England. I met Derek Shaw (the chairman) in the Swallow Hotel and said that season tickets were up, the club shop was through the roof, the attendances are up and the play-offs have brought in tremendous finance for the club... and that we would like to go again, but you have to look after the staff.
“Derek Shaw said to me: ‘Sorry, but that is not going to happen’. Derek made it clear that, under no circumstances, the club were going to reward the staff for what had been achieved. I made it clear that I wanted to go another year, to Derek. Three clubs, I then spoke to. I was given permission to speak to Charlton, which was reported at the time. I walked out of Charlton, having met the board and the job was mine to turn down. I was then going to meet Derby.
“I was going to meet Nottingham Forest, who were in League One. And, I think Stoke City. Derek gave me permission to speak to Charlton, to Forest in League One and refused me permission to speak to Derby. He didn’t want me to go to the Championship. I travelled to Derby, it was a Championship salary. There was a lot of hassle between Preston and Derby - major hassle. They never let my staff come to Derby; there was a serious battle. Great issues built up over me, eventually, agreeing to go to Derby.
“It was less salary. I went and met Derby. It was 50 per cent less salary, a blank sheet of paper and they wanted me to control the academy. There was a three-year plan. It wasn’t anybody’s decision to make, about where I went. It was me and my family's decision, and what I felt was the best career move.
"We sat down and thought that the Derby County project was quite interesting. Charlton was the financial move; I decided not to go to Charlton. After I decided to go to Derby, all the problems kicked off. I was told that it was leaked to Preston fans at a forum that I left because I was greedy. I didn’t leave because of money, that was not the case. The staff deserved an increase, because of the work they’d done.
“We wanted to go again, for a third year. My relationship with Derek had been beyond fine for four years at the club... we went to each other’s houses, had meals, spent hours watching tonnes of games. I got on great with Derek, all the time I was there. It was never a problem or issue. But, I didn’t like the way it was being done. I then left it to Derby and the people involved, to get my staff out of Preston."
