Southampton FC legend Davis excited to be Eastleigh manager

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo prior to the club's announcement, the retired goalkeeper has joined on a deal until the end of the season and will be supported by former Saint Danny Butterfield.

Davis has been searching for work since the summer of 2022 when he was sacked as Southampton's assistant, a post he held for four and a half years.

On joining Eastleigh Davis said: “I’m excited. It’s a big deal to be Eastleigh manager. It kind of came at an unexpected time. I’m thrilled to be here and get into the environment. I’m looking forward to it.

“There were a lot of happy moments during my time in these parts with Southampton - a couple of promotions.

"I know the area, I’ve been down to the Silverlake a few times to watch games. By the nature of its area, Eastleigh have always been a second club for me.

“It’s funny how the football gods work sometimes. My coaching path has ended up bringing me here. There were lots of reasons why I wanted to come here.

“I’ve been out of work for a little while and I had highlighted two or three clubs that I felt suited me and my style. Eastleigh was one of them. I’m really happy to get the call and have the opportunity.”

Asked what Eastleigh supporters can expect from his side, Davis said: “First of all I want the players to enjoy playing football. I want them to turn up and feel excited about their working day. 

“There has been fantastic buy-in from the boys in training today. I like that in football, I like energy and I like to play a brand of football that is exciting.

Saints legend Kelvin Davis is a UEFA Pro License holder (Image: Stuart Martin)

"I would have thought many coaches and managers would have had ideas. We will have to see how that works out, it will take some time to really get the brand that I am after across. 

“We know that I’ve signed a short-term contract. If the players and the staff buy into what we do, hopefully, it will be a longer-term deal and we can push on and look for the future earlier.

“I’m not surprised (by the quality). There are some senior pros in the squad. We put on a session where we felt the players could get a little bit of development and focus on the game.

"We have a short turnaround. The players were completely on board. They were attentive. They understand our intentions.

"It’s about trying to get those messages across in a short space of time as clearly as you can. Tomorrow is another day and we will see where we are.

"The league table is the league table and form is form. Facing Oxford City will be an interesting encounter. They like to have the ball. We will set up in a way that we can try to counteract that."