Edgar Davids and Mark Robson, Barnet
Barnet’s appointment of Edgar Davids alongside Mark Robson in 2012 felt like one of the stranger joint-management stories of the modern era. Davids arrived not only as co-head coach, but also as a player, captain and global name dropped into a club fighting at the wrong end of League Two.
The initial impact was eye-catching. Davids’ debut came in a 4-0 win over Northampton Town, and Barnet’s form improved after his arrival. Given where they had been, any lift was welcome. Before Davids came in, Barnet had taken only three points from their first 11 league matches. The presence of a player with his pedigree inevitably changed the atmosphere.
The partnership with Robson did not last long. Robson left in December 2012, leaving Davids in sole charge, and Barnet eventually went down from League Two on the final day of the season. Davids stayed on for a period in the Conference, but the whole episode always felt slightly surreal.