The roar of Pride Park on a chilly evening in 2021 still echoes in Curtis Davies’ memory. The Rams were fighting for survival, administration looming, and every fan in the stadium looked to their captain for guidance.
As he led his teammates out of the tunnel, Davies knew this was more than a match it was a test of character, leadership, and loyalty. For Derby fans, he was more than a defender; he was the embodiment of resilience and determination.
Today, Davies is still guiding players, but off the pitch. Now retired, he has taken on a new challenge: mentoring and representing the next generation of footballers as an agent.
His first client? Former Derby County teammate Eiran Cashin. “It felt like a natural fit. I know Eiran, I understand how he works, and I wanted to help him make the right choices for his career,” he says.
From Pride Park captain to player mentor, the thread of leadership runs through his career. A journey spanning more than 20 years, over 600 professional appearances, and more than 150 clean sheets.
Davies’ football journey began at Luton Town, where he made 34 senior appearances as a teenager. He later played in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, and Hull City, reaching an FA Cup final with the Tigers.
Over his career, he scored 29 goals from defence and earned multiple Player of the Year awards, cementing his reputation as a commanding presence on and off the pitch.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Davies recalls.
“Derby asked a lot of me on and off the pitch. Leadership wasn’t just about captaining games. It was about being there for the players and staff when things got tough.
That period, with everything going on off the pitch, really tested all of us.”
Derby County’s history in the early 2020s was turbulent. Administration, points deductions, and relegation threats created a tense atmosphere where every match felt like a battle. Davies emerged as a stabilizing force.
“We went through administration, and the way everyone pulled together, the players, managers, kitchen staff, groundsmen—was incredible,” he says.
“I even signed a waiver to play as an emergency centre-forward after just returning from an Achilles injury because the club needed me. That shows the lengths we went to for Derby.”
Fans remember him not just for his defensive prowess but for his commitment to the club’s cause.
“Achieved is a loaded word. I never achieved everything I set out to do in terms of promotion. But the fans value the way you stood up for the club during hard times. That’s what resonates the most.”
At the end of the 2022/23 season, Derby offered Davies a player/coach role with the under-21s. He declined.
“I still felt I had something left in my legs to play league football. If I were going to coach, I wanted to lead, not be involved at under-21 level.
“It just wasn’t the right fit at the time. I don’t regret turning it down, and Bradley Johnson is doing a fantastic job,” he explains.
Instead, Davies extended his playing career at Cheltenham before retiring fully and joining Sky Sports as a pundit.
“Football is all about timing. The Sky job came at the right moment. It could last 10, 15 years. If I had played one more year, that opportunity might have gone. I wanted to get involved in something long-term.”
He admits management is still on his mind.
“I’ve done my B licence and planned to get my A licence after retiring. I don’t want to rush into coaching; too many people do quick courses and get a job without really learning the craft.
“But if the right opportunity presents itself, I’d seriously consider it.”
“I’ve seen him train, work, and prepare for games. That insight is invaluable. I know what motivates him and how to guide him in making the right decisions for his career,” he says.
Cashin adds: “Curtis knows the game inside out. He’s been there, he understands the pressure, and having that guidance has been massive for me.”
Davies is now using his leadership skills to mentor young players, providing the guidance he wished he had early in his career. “Seeing them grow and make the right decisions gives me a real sense of purpose,” he adds.
Davies’ involvement in Derby matters has sparked discussion. Some describe him as “the elephant in the room,” a former legend now representing current players.
“It’s something I’m aware of. People will have opinions. My focus is on my clients. I’m not making decisions for the club; I’m making sure they’re in the best possible position to succeed,” he says.
Davies is fascinated by how much Derby has changed since his playing days. “When I was here, the team was still recovering from relegation and administration. Every game felt like a fight for survival,” he recalls.
“Now, there’s a real sense of stability and ambition.”
After promotion from League One in 2023/24, Derby has evolved.
Key figures from the promotion-winning side, including Ebou Adams, Curtis Nelson, and Ryan Nyambe, have moved on, making way for a new core of players assembled by head coach John Eustace.
Currently mid-table in the Championship, Derby’s ambitions are clear: consolidate in the league, continue developing young talent, and push toward a playoff challenge.
“The squad now is younger in some areas, more balanced, and more ambitious. It’s a different environment than when I captained them, but the drive to succeed is still there,” Davies says.
This evolution mirrors his own transition. “Just like the club is adapting and planning for the future, I’m finding new ways to lead and guide players off the pitch. There’s a lot of continuity in terms of values and professionalism.”
Davies draws on his playing career daily in his role as an agent. “I see so many young players making poor decisions because they’re misadvised or under pressure. I want to help them navigate the game with honesty and experience. I know how fragile careers can be.”
He credits Derby for shaping his philosophy. “Leadership, responsibility, handling adversity—that all comes through in the advice I give to players like Eiran.”
Looking ahead, Davies is focused on growing his agency, mentoring clients, and keeping doors open for coaching, media, or football administration.
He is also invested in Derby’s long-term ambitions.
“I’d love to see Derby back in the Premier League in a few years. The foundations are there, the players are talented, and the club is moving in the right direction.”
His career stats underline the breadth of his experience: over 600 professional appearances, more than 150 clean sheets, 29 goals from defence, Premier League and Championship experience, and an FA Cup Final appearance with Hull City.
“These numbers aren’t just milestones—they’re lessons I now pass on to the next generation,” Davies says.
For Curtis Davies, football is no longer just about personal accolades. “It’s not about what I achieved. It’s about what I can help others achieve now. That’s what drives me every day.”
From leading the Rams out of the tunnel at Pride Park to guiding young players off the pitch, Davies continues to influence the game, proving that leadership doesn’t end when the final whistle blows.
