Go back 10 years, and there were six player-managers in the Football League - Andy Hessenthaler at Gillingham, Bury's Andy Preece, Dennis Wise at Millwall, Gary McAllister at Coventry, Paul Groves at Grimsby and Rochdale's Paul Simpson. Wise even led his side to the FA Cup final in 2004, playing in central midfield against Manchester United at Wembley.Davids and his employers in north London certainly seem mutually happy with their situation. In exchange for offering the Dutchman his first step on the managerial ladder, the League Two club gained the services of one of the finest European midfielders of the last 20 years, and he is having a huge influence both on and off the pitch. Being player-manager was normal for me, because in the teams I played for I already ran the team. I still have one of the lowest fat percentages at the club, my running is up to par and I can play back-to-back games.Rewind even further and you'll find player-managers winning the biggest trophies. There was Kenny Dalglish scoring to win the league for Liverpool before landing a historic double; Graeme Souness dominating in midfield for Rangers during a period of huge success for the Glasgow side; and Chelsea employing three consecutive player-managers over a seven-year period and winning domestic and European trophies.
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