Former Chester City manager Simon Davies has landed a plum role at Belgian giants Anderlecht.
The 45-year-old, from Winsford, had most recently served as boss of Manchester City's under-23 side, appointed Patrick Vieira's successor in 2015 when the Frenchman made the leap into the role of head coach with New York City.
It was at Manchester City where Davies met club legend Vincent Kompany, who departed the Etihad this summer after 11 trophy-laden years, signing off with a treble under Pep Guardiola.
Kompany was named player-manager of Jupiler Pro League side Anderlecht, where he began his career, on May 19 last month and wasted little time in putting together his backroom team, with Davies getting the call.
Davies, who first started coaching in City's Academy in 2010, spent eight months as manager of Chester in 2008 under the ruinous regime of Stephen Vaughan.
He arrived at Chester in summer 2006 and coached the youth team. He had one game as caretaker manager in April 2007 following Mark Wright's departure.
Davies continued to work with the youth side until March 2008 when Bobby Williamson was sacked as manager and owner Vaughan put him in charge until the end of the season.
He managed to save the club from relegation and was given the role on a permanent basis, signing a two-year contract.
However, he was sacked in November 2008 following a disappointing start to the season with Wright replacing him.
Davies returned to the club the following month when he was appointed head of youth and worked as assistant manager under Mick Wadsworth, leaving when he departed in September 2009.
On his appointment at Anderlecht, former Manchester United player Davies said in a statement released by the Belgian side: "When Vinny asked me to make the move with him to RSC Anderlecht, I didn't hesitate.
"We are starting a beautiful project: taking RSC Anderlecht back to the place where they belong, with special emphasis on the development of talented young players."
Anderlecht finished fourth in the league last season and qualified for the end-of-season play-offs. However, they missed out on qualification for the Europa League, something which will very much be the target for the coming season.
