Boss intends to see out Derby contract

Updated 13.58 Tue May 29 2007

Keywords: Championship, Premier League, Derby County, football, sport, Billy Davies, Wembley

Billy Davies has denied reports that he could quit the Pride Park hotseat after helping Derby County back to the Premier League.

Winger Stephen Pearson's first goal for the Rams since his £650,000 move from Celtic in January saw them seal a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off final at Wembley and a £60 million windfall.

"No matter what anyone else might think, justice was done at Wembley" - Billy Davies

But reports have claimed that Davies, who has transformed Derby's fortunes in just ten months, is unhappy at having to see out the season without an assistant manager after the club failed to bring in David Kelly from Preston - Davies' previous employers.

But while Davies admits he has been hamstrung by the lack of an assistant, he has also reaffirmed his commitment to Derby and is planning clear-the-air talks with the board in the near future.

He said: "I'm not looking for an exit clause. I have signed a three-year contract, I have two years left of that contract, it's my intention to see out the remainder of those two years.

"I always said that the focus was on the remainder of the games and after that I would sit down with the board and have a discussion and see what happens from there."

Davies added: "Hopefully in the next couple of weeks there will be discussions taking place and we can sort a few things out.

"It is my intention to see out the remainder of my two-year contract and continue with the rebuilding and development of Derby County Football Club."

Pearson, meanwhile, has insisted that it is "crucial" Derby hang on to Davies if the men from Pride Park are to have any chance of not making an immediate return to the Championship.

Derby's 61st-minute match-winner at Wembley said: "He is a young manager and he is going to be in demand now, but it is crucial the club keep hold of the gaffer.

"All you have to do is think about the change which has happened at the club over the last year to see how important he is.

"The gaffer had tried to sign me a few times before January and, for whatever reason, it had not worked out.

"But, when I talked to him again before I signed in January, he told me the plan was to take Derby into the Premiership. I am only 24 but he has already been a major factor in my career."