Ex-Premier League ace reveals manager lost job over part in failed Portsmouth move
Bryan Robson lost his job as manager of West Brom over his attempts to sell Curtis Davies to Portsmouth in 2006, the former defender has revealed.
The Manchester United legend took charge at The Hawthorns and signed Davies from Luton Town in 2005, and the centre-half’s performances attracted interest from both Pompey and Arsenal.
The Blues, flying high under Harry Redknapp at the time, were said to be in talks over an enormous £10million move for Davies, and the Albion board prevented the switch and sacked Robson.
Davies explained on Undr The Cosh podcast [via Patreon, 10 October]: “I missed a meeting because I was stuck in traffic, and [Robson] spoke to me after and said ‘I’ve been sacked, the board have let me go and I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me’.
“He said ‘I just wanted to let you know that I got sacked because I was pushing on selling you to Portsmouth for £10million. I could have sold you and got you your move back to the Premier League, and bought four or five quality players to get us up’.
“That showed me that he was thinking of me and trying to do the best for me.”
Portsmouth were big spenders in the mid-2000s
Portsmouth were hugely ambitious in the Redknapp era, with the 2008 FA Cup to show for their peak years.
The fact the club were attempting to sign Davies for an eight-figure sum in the 2006-07 season should not come as a surprise to Blues fans, who saw their club – albeit some on free transfers but with hefty wages – bring in profiles such as Sol Campbell, Kanu and Lassana Diarra around this time.
It would go on to hit Pompey hard, to the point of near-extinction and eventually having to settle for four dismal years in League Two while the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust took ownership of the club.
There were dark years filled with even darker days, but at least not one individual can take Pompey’s Wembley glory away from them, the very stadium in which they beat West Brom the following season in the semi-final en route to the famous final.
The Blues are now only just emerging from the other side following promotion to the Championship, and will not want to fall through the trap door again.
As for Davies, now 39, he only announced his retirement in August following last season with Cheltenham Town.
In other Portsmouth news, Rich Hughes makes a “ruthless” transfer admission.
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