Ex-Crewe Alexandra boss agrees two-year deal with Brisbane Road club

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient's youth-team coach Danny Webb (left) with assistant coach Ross Embleton, Nick Gearing and Peter Gill at pre-season training last week (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient's youth-team coach Danny Webb (left) with assistant coach Ross Embleton, Nick Gearing and Peter Gill at pre-season training last week (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient have confirmed former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis is their new head coach.

The 51-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the Brisbane Road outfit and is the first O’s boss under the new regime of Nigel Travis and Kent Teague.

Davis was sacked as Crewe manager in January, but enjoyed a largely successful time during his lengthy spell at Gresty Road.

The former Nantwich Town boss was appointed in charge of the Railwaymen first-team in November 2011 and led the club to promotion from League Two, via the play-offs, in May 2012.

Crewe went on to enjoy success in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy the following campaign, as they won the competition at Wembley.

Davis kept the Alex in League One for four seasons until they eventually suffered relegation in April 2016.

The ex-Burnley defender enjoyed many ups and downs at Gresty Road, but did have to contend with selling his best players on a regular basis.

Davis helped develop the likes of Nick Powell, Ashley Westwood and Luke Murphy plus many other talented youngsters before seeing them depart.

East London Advertiser: Steve Davis (right) looks on at Brisbane Road in October while manager at Crewe Alexandra (pic: Simon O'Connor).Steve Davis (right) looks on at Brisbane Road in October while manager at Crewe Alexandra (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

With that in mind, the ex-Crewe manager did a fine job to earn promotion with his old club and lead them to silverware in the JPT.

The new Orient head coach has worked in non-league before, although way back in 2009 as boss at Nantwich Town.

Davis led the Dabbers to a brace of promotions as well as an FA Vase triumph during his five years at the club.

He left Nantwich to move to Crewe in 2009 as assistant at Gresty Road before progressing to take up the role as manager two years later.

With the new National League campaign starting in less than four weeks, Davis will not have much time to settle in at Brisbane Road.

The experienced manager will look forward to working closely with O’s Director of Football Martin Ling and build a competitive squad at Orient.

Ling has made four signings already this summer, but many more are expected and with Davis in place, he will no doubt have people in mind who can strengthen the east Londoners.

Davis will take charge of Orient for the first time on Saturday at Harlow Town and will hope it is the start of a fruitful spell in E10.