It seems that the 2008/2009 season has been a successful one for gaffers who once occupied the hot seat at Deepdale. With the likes of Billy Davies ensuring Nottingham Forest will be playing in the Championship again next season and fellow scot David Moyes proving why he is one of the top managers currently managing in the Premier League.
David Moyes | Everton
And it’s with Moyes where we begin. It has been another great season for the former Celtic man who has seen his Everton side finish in the top five as well as reaching the FA Cup Final. The first time the Toffees have done so since that famous win over Manchester United in 1995. And just who was it that Everton beat on the way to the final last season? Manchester United of course which could have been a lucky omen going into the Wembley Final if it had not have been for Guus Hiddink’s farewell party raining on the Toffees’ parade.
Everton’s lofty league position is largely down to the tactical nous of Moyes who, for spells, had to field a team without a recognised forward. Despite being the 5th youngest manager in the Premier League, Moyes is one of the longest serving.
Simon Davey | Barnsley
Although not strictly an ex-Preston manager, Simon Davey is a former Lilywhite who will be a Championship manager for at least another season. After losing key striker Iain Hulme to a head injury, The Tykes’ season has not gone according to plan. In fact it took the South Yorkshire outfit right up until the final day of the season for them to seal their Championship status. The Tykes, who only needed a draw against Plymouth, did so with a 2-1 win over the Pilgrims and Norwich’s 4-2 defeat to already relegated Charlton meant it was Barnsley who would be playing Championship football furthermore.
Paul Simpson | Shrewsbury Town
It was very nearly a fantastic season for Shrewsbury Town and Paul Simpson after the former Rochdale and Carlisle manager lead his time out at Wembley for the League Two Play-Off Final in May. However, despite having the upper-hand in the league games over the Gills this season – notably with a 7-0 drubbing over Mark Stimson’s side – the Shrews were undone by a 90th minute Simeone Jackson header. Unable to get themselves back into the game in the final moments, Shrewsbury were condemned to at least another season in English football’s third tier.
Gareth Ainsworth | Queens Park Rangers
Again, like with Simon Davey, Gareth Ainsworth isn’t strictly an ex-PNE gaffer but is a manager who was once a North Ender. In fact Ainsworth last act of management during the 2008/2009 season was to thwart Preston’s charge to the play-offs. His QPR side put up a real fight and even saw goalkeeper Radek Cerny surge forward for a set-piece in the closing stages.
The back end of last season was Ainsworth’s second spell as caretaker manager at Loftus Road following the departures of Iain Dowie and Paulo Sousa. Under the former midfielder’s stewardship, Rangers finished the season in 11th place.
Billy Davies | Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s return to the Championship looked to be a short one with Forest flirting with the relegation places early on in the campaign. As a result, the departure of Colin Calderwood was imminent and Billy Davies was brought in, despite his history with fierce rivals Derby. Keeping their heads above water was undoubtedly the main objective for Billy Davies and that’s exactly what the former Derby man did meaning that Forest’s 2008/2009 campaign can be considered a successful one, despite the shaky start.
