View source for Edgar Davids

{{short description|Dutch footballer and manager (born 1973)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Edgar Davids
| image = Edgar Davids (cropped).jpg
| caption = Davids in 2007
| full_name = Edgar Steven Davids<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=Squad List: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Netherlands (NED) |publisher=FIFA |page=20 |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|3|13|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|22743|access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Paramaribo]], [[Suriname (Kingdom of the Netherlands)|Suriname]]<ref name=Hugman/>
| height = 1.69 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/j/j630.html |title=Davids: Edgar Steven Davids: Player |publisher=BDFutbol |access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 1985–1991
| youthclubs1 = [[Jong Ajax|Ajax]]
| years1 = 1991–1996
| clubs1 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps1 = 106
| goals1 = 20
| years2 = 1996–1997
| clubs2 = [[AC Milan]]
| caps2 = 19
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 1997–2004
| clubs3 = [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
| caps3 = 159
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 2004
| clubs4 = → [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] (loan)
| caps4 = 18
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2004–2005
| clubs5 = [[Inter Milan]]
| caps5 = 14
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2005–2007
| clubs6 = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
| caps6 = 40
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2007–2009
| clubs7 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps7 = 25
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2010
| clubs8 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps8 = 6
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2012–2014
| clubs9 = [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]
| caps9 = 36
| goals9 = 1
| totalcaps = 423
| totalgoals = 34
| nationalyears1 = 1992–1994
| nationalteam1 = [[Netherlands U-21 national football team|Netherlands U-21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 1994–2005
| nationalteam2 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
| nationalcaps2 = 74
| nationalgoals2 = 6
| manageryears1 = 2012–2014
| managerclubs1 = [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]
| manageryears2 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs2 = [[SC Telstar|Telstar]] (assistant)
| manageryears3 = 2021
| managerclubs3 = [[S.C. Olhanense|Olhanense]]
| manageryears4 = 2022
| managerclubs4 = [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] (assistant)
| medaltemplates = {{medal|Country|{{fb|NED}}}}
{{Medal|Comp|[[UEFA European Championship]]|}}
{{Medal|B|[[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]]|}}
{{Medal|B|[[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]|}}
}}
'''Edgar Steven Davids''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈɛdɡɑr ˈdaːvɪts|-|Nl-Edgar Davids.ogg}}; born 13 March 1973) is a Dutch former professional [[association football|footballer]]. Davids was nicknamed '''"The Pitbull"''' because of his marking ability, aggression, and hard tackling style of play.<ref name="tuttojuve.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttojuve.com/gli-eroi-bianconeri/gli-eroi-in-bianconero-edgar-davids-43867|title=Gli eroi in bianconero: Edgar DAVIDS|publisher=Tutto Juve|language=it|author=Stefano Bedeschi|access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="One-on-One">{{cite web|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/edgar-davids-one-one|title=Edgar Davids: One-on-One|work=FourFourTwo|date=1 January 2010|access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="Davids: Dutch can go all the way">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=803386.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618092022/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=803386.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2008|title=Davids: Dutch can go all the way|publisher=[[FIFA]]|date=16 June 2008|access-date=4 September 2011}}</ref>

After beginning his career with [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]], winning several domestic and international titles, he subsequently played in Italy for [[AC Milan]], and later enjoyed a successful spell with [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], before being loaned out to [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in 2004. He went on to play for [[Inter Milan]] and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] before returning to Ajax. Having struggled with injuries for two years, Davids returned to competitive football during a brief spell with [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] before retiring at the age of 37. In 2012, he was appointed [[player-manager]] at the English [[Football League Two|League Two]] club Barnet. He resigned by mutual agreement as manager in January 2014. He was [[Cap (sport)|capped]] 74 times by the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]] at international level, scoring six goals, and represented his country at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] and the [[UEFA European Championship]] (three times: 1996, 2000, and 2004).

One of the most recognizable players of his generation,<ref name="football-oranje.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.football-oranje.com/hall-of-fame-edgar-davids/|title=Hall of Fame: Edgar Davids|publisher=Football Oranje.com|author1=Michael Bell|date=18 August 2013|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016070307/http://www.football-oranje.com/hall-of-fame-edgar-davids/|archive-date=16 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list|title=Ranked! The 101 greatest football players of the last 25 years: full list|edition=253|work=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=13 February 2018|accessdate=22 December 2023}}</ref> Davids often stood out on the football field due to his [[Dreadlocks|dreadlocked]] hair and the protective goggles he wore due to [[glaucoma]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccertimes.com/oped/2003/mar07.htm|title=Goggles are Davids' most glaring feature|publisher=Soccer Times|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420084821/http://www.soccertimes.com/oped/2003/mar07.htm|archive-date=20 April 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1049031/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117093620/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/features/news/newsid=1049031/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2013|title=Dedicated followers of fashion|publisher=[[FIFA]]|date=17 April 2009|access-date=13 October 2013}}</ref> A combative and energetic, yet creative and skilful [[midfielder]], in 2004 he was one of the players chosen by [[Pelé]] to feature in the [[FIFA 100]], his list of the world's greatest living footballers.<ref name="Pele"/>

==Early life==
Edgar Steven Davids was born on 13 March 1973, in [[Paramaribo]], [[Suriname]] and is of [[Afro-Surinamese]] descent, with [[Surinamese Jews|Jewish]] heritage from his mother.<ref name="Parents"/> The family moved to the Netherlands when Davids was an infant.<ref name="Parents">{{cite news |script-title=he:איווניר בודק אפשרות לצרף את אגר דווידס |first=Ophira |last=Assayeg |url=http://www.one.co.il/Article/174871.html |publisher=One.co.il |date=20 February 2011 |access-date=20 February 2011 |language=he |trans-title=Ivanir Is Checking Possibility Of Signing Edgar Davids Hej}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-jewish-chronicle/20180608/281505046913642|title=|via=PressReader}}</ref> His cousin [[Lorenzo Davids|Lorenzo]] is also a footballer.<ref>{{cite news|last=van Leeuwen|first=Gerrit|title=Davids' family values|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_2385736,00.html|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|access-date=11 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ruta|first=Alessandro|title=Leverkusen, tutto facile E si ritrova in testa|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio_Estero/Bundesliga/09-09-2011/leverkusen-tutto-facile-802816044165.shtml|access-date=11 September 2011|newspaper=[[La Gazzetta dello Sport]]|date=9 September 2011|language=it}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Ajax===
After being rejected on two previous occasions by the club,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18639181.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513022640/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18639181.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 May 2013 | title=Profile: Edgar Davids: Raging pitbull | work=Scotland on Sunday | publisher=Scotsman Publications | first=Simon | last=Kuper | page=8 | date=28 October 2001 | access-date=31 December 2012}}</ref> Davids started his career at the age of 12 with [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/9656788/Manchester-City-v-Ajax-Dutch-master-Edgar-Davids-puts-work-ethic-down-to-Amsterdams-conveyor-belt-of-players.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-city/9656788/Manchester-City-v-Ajax-Dutch-master-Edgar-Davids-puts-work-ethic-down-to-Amsterdams-conveyor-belt-of-players.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Manchester City v Ajax: Dutch master Edgar Davids puts work ethic down to Amsterdam's conveyor belt of players | work=The Telegraph | date=6 November 2012 | access-date=31 December 2012 | location=London | first=Jonathan | last=Liew}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He made his first team debut on 6 September 1991 in a 5–1 home win over [[RKC Waalwijk]]. He helped the [[Amsterdam]] club to three domestic [[Eredivisie]] titles, as well as continental success with the [[1991–92 UEFA Cup|1992 UEFA Cup]] and the [[1994–95 UEFA Champions League|1995 UEFA Champions League]]. In the [[1996 UEFA Champions League Final|1996 UEFA Champions League final]], he missed Ajax's first [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] in the [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|shoot-out]], which they ultimately lost to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]]. While at Ajax, Davids was nicknamed "The [[Pit bull|Pitbull]]" by Ajax manager [[Louis van Gaal]] due to his fierce style of play in the team's midfield.<ref name="football-oranje.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/>

===AC Milan and Juventus===
[[File:Edgar Davids (Juventus F.C., no. 26) clashing with Gennaro Gattuso (A.C. Milan) - 20030528.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Juventus FC|Juventus]]' Davids clashing with [[AC Milan]]'s [[Gennaro Gattuso]] during the final of the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] on 28 May 2003]]

At the start of the [[1996–97 Serie A|1996–97 season]], Davids moved to Italy to play for AC Milan on a [[Free transfer (association football)|free transfer]] alongside team-mate [[Michael Reiziger]], both early beneficiaries of the "[[Bosman ruling]]".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Winner |first1=David |author1-link=David Winner (author) |title=Ajax coming to terms with end of an era |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/ajax-coming-to-terms-with-end-of-an-era-1273801.html |access-date=30 December 2021 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=19 March 1997}}</ref> In an [[1996–97 AC Milan season|unsuccessful season]] in which defending champions Milan changed their manager twice and finished 11th in Serie A, Davids broke his leg in a 1–0 defeat at [[A.C. Perugia|Perugia]] on 23 February 1997.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yannis |first1=Alex |title=A.C. Milan's Woes Continue |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/25/sports/us-women-on-road-to-world-cup.html |access-date=30 December 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=25 February 1997}}</ref> After failing to recover his place in the team he was allowed to join league rivals Juventus in December 1997 for a reduced 9 billion [[Italian lira|Italian lire]] (£3 million) [[Transfer (association football)|transfer fee]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kuper |first1=Simon |author1-link=Simon Kuper |title=The boy Davids is now a Goliath |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/mar/20/newsstory.sport26 |access-date=30 December 2021 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 March 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Albanese |first1=Giovanni |title=Le grandi trattative della Juve - 1997, Davids arriva dal Milan con un'offerta al ribasso |url=https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/le-grandi-trattative-della-juve-1997-davids-arriva-dal-milan-con-un-offerta-al-ribasso-1365703 |access-date=30 December 2021 |publisher=Tutto Mercato Web |date=29 March 2020 |language=Italian}}</ref> At Milan, Davids had been one of the biggest disappointments of the first half of the Serie A season, his teammate [[Alessandro Costacurta]] was critical of his character, calling him the "[[Bad apples|rotten apple]]" of the dressing room.<ref name="I migliori colpi di gennaio">{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/30-12-2016/mercato-davids-stankovic-ronaldo-pandev-migliori-colpi-gennaio-180226595360.shtml |title=Mercato: Davids, Stankovic, Ronaldo, Pandev e... I migliori colpi di gennaio |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=31 December 2016 |access-date=21 March 2024 }}</ref>

At Juventus, he soon became a permanent first team member in the midfield, playing initially on the left flank, or later usually in the centre, as a defensive midfielder, forming a notable midfield partnership alongside French [[playmaker]] [[Zinedine Zidane]]; he was considered by pundits to be one of the best January transfers, while Juventus manager [[Marcello Lippi]] opined that Davids's new role within the team was one of the most important tactical changes of the season, along with the shift to a three–player defence and using Zidane in a more advanced role behind the strikers.<ref name="One-on-One"/><ref name="I migliori colpi di gennaio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/scotland/3265413.stm|title=David v Goliath?|date=12 November 2003|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Six successful years in [[Turin]] followed, with Davids helping the side to the [[Serie A]] title in [[1997–98 Serie A|1998]], [[2001–02 Serie A|2002]], and [[2002–03 Serie A|2003]], as well as two [[Supercoppa Italiana]] and the [[1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup|UEFA Intertoto Cup]]. Lippi once described him as "my one-man engine room".<ref name="tuttojuve.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Titolare a sorpresa: anche Mirante è un doppio ex di Milan-Juve |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/milan-juve-ex-giocatori#16 |publisher=sport.sky.it |access-date=21 March 2024 |language=it |date=22 October 2023}}</ref>

Davids was often inspirational in Europe, playing 15 times as the club made it all the way to the [[2002–03 UEFA Champions League|2002–03 Champions League]] [[2003 UEFA Champions League Final|final]] before losing to Milan on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]]. He had also previously managed to reach the Champions League final with Juventus in [[1998 UEFA Champions League Final|1998]], followed by a semi-final finish during the [[1998–99 UEFA Champions League|1998–99 season]], as well as reaching the [[2002 Coppa Italia Final]].<ref name="tuttojuve.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/><ref name="fear"/><ref name="rivistaundici"/>

====Barcelona (loan)====
Following some tensions with Juventus manager Lippi, as well as competition from new arrivals for a starting spot at Juventus during the first half of the 2003-04 season, Davids joined [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] on loan in January 2004.<ref name="rivistaundici"/> Joining midway through a season where the club was struggling in mid-table and recently appointed manager [[Frank Rijkaard]] was under considerable pressure, Davids led Barça's successful resurgence of form which saw them finishing second to [[Valencia CF|Valencia]] in [[2003–04 La Liga|La Liga]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowe |first=Sid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/01/europeanfootball.sport1 |title=Davids drags Barca back to life |publisher=Guardian |date= 1 March 2004|access-date=13 October 2013 | location=London}}</ref> Davids' arrival has been cited as the catalyst for the [[Catalonia|Catalan]] club's dominance of [[Football in Spain|Spanish]] and [[European football]] during the mid-to-late 2000s (decade), with Barcelona winning [[La Liga]] the following season (after five years without winning the league title) and a [[Double (association football)#European Doubles|La Liga and Champions League double]] in [[2005–06 FC Barcelona season|2005–06]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowe |first=Sid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/jan/29/joy-of-six-game-breaking-transfers |title=The Joy of Six: game-breaking transfers during the season |publisher=Guardian |date=29 January 2010 |access-date=13 October 2013 | location=London}}</ref>

===Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur===
In the summer of 2004, Davids permanently moved on to Italian club [[Inter Milan]] on a three-year contract.<ref>[http://www.inter.it/en/news/14623 inter.it] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922221133/https://www.inter.it/en/news/14623 |date=22 September 2018 }}, ''Edgar Davids joins Inter, 11 July 2004''</ref> When Inter terminated the remaining years of his contract in August 2005, he moved to England on a [[Free transfer (association football)|free transfer]] to play for [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/4719445.stm], [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]] complete Davids signing, 3 August 2005</ref> He had a successful stay at Tottenham and instantly became a fan favourite. His first and only goal was in a 2–1 away win against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4450908.stm|title=Wigan 1–2 Tottenham|date=26 September 2005 | work=BBC News}}</ref> Davids played for Spurs in the [[2005–06 FA Premier League|2005–06]] and the [[2006–07 FA Premier League|2006–07]] seasons, with the club finishing fifth in both seasons.

===Return to Ajax===
[[File:EdgarDavids Vermaelen VdWiel.jpg|thumb|left|Davids embraces Ajax team manager [[David Endt]] during his second period at Ajax, with [[Thomas Vermaelen]] and [[Gregory van der Wiel]] behind.]]
Davids signed once more for Ajax on 28 January 2007<ref>[http://nos.nl/artikel/106648-edgar-davids-gepresenteerd-bij-ajax.html nos.nl] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017093918/http://nos.nl/artikel/106648-edgar-davids-gepresenteerd-bij-ajax.html |date=17 October 2013 }}, ''Davids signs for Ajax. 28 January 2007''</ref> and played his first match against [[De Klassieker|club rivals]] [[Feyenoord]] on 4 February.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tactical Formation|work=Football-Lineups.com
|url=http://www.football-lineups.com/match/3656/ | access-date=13 October 2013}}</ref> After the mid-season switch, Davids proved his value for the Ajax team again. He was one of the key [[midfielder]]s in the run for the [[2006–07 Eredivisie|Dutch championship]] that was lost on one single goal to [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] on the final day of the league. He also played a major role in Ajax's cup campaign. He secured the [[2006–07 KNVB Cup|KNVB Cup]] for Ajax by scoring the final [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] in a thrilling [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]] against [[AZ Alkmaar|AZ]]. Prior to the start of the [[2007–08 Eredivisie|2007–08 season]], Davids' leg was broken in a pre-season friendly against [[Go Ahead Eagles]], sidelining him for around three months.<ref name="Ajax midfielder Davids breaks leg">{{cite news| title = Ajax midfielder Davids breaks leg| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6910718.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 22 July 2007}}</ref> In May 2008, Davids said he would leave Ajax when his contract expired on 30 June.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-and-speculation-21-may-831410.html| title=Transfer news and speculation, 21 May|last=Herbert|first=Ian |date=21 May 2008 |publisher=Independent, The (London)|access-date=13 October 2013}}</ref>

Davids played against the [[LA Galaxy]] on 6 December 2008 in an exhibition match held at [[Mount Smart Stadium]] in [[Auckland]], New Zealand, as part of an Oceania XI All-Star team, despite the fact he is not from Oceania and has never played for an Oceanic club or national team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10545672|title=Soccer: Dutch star Davids joins Oceania All Stars|date=29 November 2008|website=[[The New Zealand Herald]]}}</ref> Davids was in contract negotiations with English [[Football League Championship|Championship]] club [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] from 22 October 2009;<ref name="Leicester call off Davids pursuit"/> however, he failed to make a decision for over a week and the club withdrew their offer on 30 October.<ref name="Leicester call off Davids pursuit">{{cite news| title = Leicester call off Davids pursuit | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/8317903.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 30 October 2009| access-date = 30 October 2009}}</ref>

===Crystal Palace===
On 20 August 2010, Davids agreed a pay-as-you-play deal with English Championship club [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]. He made his debut on 24 August 2010 at left-back in the Second Round of the [[2010–11 Football League Cup|League Cup]] against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10323~2128733,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208125916/http://www.cpfc.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10323~2128733%2C00.html |archive-date=8 February 2012 |title=Edgar Davids Agrees Terms |publisher=Crystal Palace F.C. |date=21 August 2010 |access-date=13 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 8 November 2010, he announced his departure from the club, stating it was "one of the greatest experiences of my life".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_6495097,00.html | title = Davids calls time on Palace | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 8 November 2010 | access-date = 4 December 2010 }}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Henrik Larsson Euro 2004.jpg|thumb|right|Davids ''(wearing No.8)'' in the Dutch wall, facing a free kick against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] at [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]].]]
Davids made his debut for the [[Netherlands national soccer team|Netherlands national team]] on 20 April 1994 in [[Tilburg]], in a 1–0 defeat to the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]].<ref name="rsssf.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/davids-intl.html|title=Edgar Davids – International Appearances|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref> He quickly became an integral part of the squad for the next decade, though he failed to win any major tournaments for the ''Oranje''.

During [[UEFA Euro 1996]], he was sent home by then manager [[Guus Hiddink]] for saying in a radio interview, "Hiddink should stop putting his head in some players' asses."<ref name="One-on-One"/>

Nonetheless, Davids remained appreciated by Hiddink, who included him in the Dutch squad for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] in France. Davids' most notable performance for the national team came in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|second round]] match against [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|FR Yugoslavia]]. He scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game and ensured that the Dutch team went through to the next round to meet [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]. The Netherlands eventually finished fourth overall and Davids was named to the official [[FIFA]] "Team of the Tournament".

In 1999, Davids began wearing protective glasses following surgery in his right eye caused by [[glaucoma]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccertimes.com/oped/2003/mar07.htm|title=Soccer Times|website=Soccer Times|access-date=16 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420084821/http://www.soccertimes.com/oped/2003/mar07.htm|archive-date=20 April 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> which developed in 1995 following eye injuries. Davids first wore them on 4 September 1999 in a friendly match against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://persona.rin.ru/eng/view/f/0/34317/edgar-davids|title=Edgar Davids, photo, biography|website=persona.rin.ru}}</ref> On 17 May 2001, Davids was suspended by [[FIFA]] when he tested positive for the banned [[anabolic steroid]], [[nandrolone]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3006500/Davids-and-Couto-hit-with-FIFA-bans.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/3006500/Davids-and-Couto-hit-with-FIFA-bans.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Davids and Couto hit with FIFA bans|date=31 May 2001|access-date=9 October 2009|publisher=Telegraph | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Davids played in [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]], where the Netherlands reached the semi-finals before losing to [[Italy national football team|Italy]] via [[penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]]. Davids was again named as part of the "Team of the Tournament".

During the Netherlands' [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying|Euro 2004 qualifying]] matches, Davids scored the Netherlands' first qualifying goal in their opening 3–0 victory against [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]], and subsequently played in five of the remaining seven Group 3 fixtures and both legs of the play-off victory against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]].

After [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]], new national team coach [[Marco van Basten]] appointed Davids as captain of the team. However, lack of first team football at his club Inter meant Davids lost his place in the national team in October 2004, thus losing the captain's armband in the process, which was later handed to goalkeeper [[Edwin van der Sar]]. In October 2005, during the latter stages of [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualifying]] for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]], Davids was recalled to the national team, though not as captain. He fell out of the picture again shortly after, thereby missing out on the Dutch squad for the World Cup.

==Style of play==
A quick, hard-working, tenacious team player, gifted with power and pace, as well as exceptional physical strength and stamina in spite of his diminutive stature. Davids was renowned for his dynamic and combative style of play, tight marking of opponents, and ability to break down opposition plays as a [[defensive midfielder]].<ref name="tuttojuve.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/><ref name="Davids: Dutch can go all the way"/><ref name="La malattia agli occhi"/><ref name="cult"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio_Estero/Primo_Piano/26-09-2012/vita-indio-almeyda-alcol-mafia-depressione--912726770571.shtml|title=La vita dell'Indio Almeyda tra alcol e depressione|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|author1=Martin Mazur|date=26 September 2012|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="98 FWC All-star team">{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/fifa-technical-study-group-designates-mastercard-all-star-team-71747 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163711/https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/fifa-technical-study-group-designates-mastercard-all-star-team-71747 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2018 |title=FIFA Technical Study Group designates MasterCard All-Star Team |publisher=FIFA |date=10 July 1998 |access-date=13 August 2018 }}</ref>

A well-rounded midfielder, in addition to his ball-winning ability, as well as his physical and athletic attributes, Davids was also a highly talented and creative player, who was known for his outstanding technique, flair, vision, acceleration, close control, quick footwork, and [[Keepie uppie|ball-juggling skills]]; his technical ability and prowess at [[Street football (association football)|street soccer]] and as a [[freestyle football]]er earned him the nickname "The Mayor of the Street" in his youth.<ref name="One-on-One"/><ref name="rivistaundici">{{cite web |url=https://www.rivistaundici.com/2015/03/14/pitbull/ |title=Pitbull |publisher=Rivista Undici |language=it-IT |date=21 March 2024 |access-date=21 March 2024 }}</ref><ref name="cult"/>

Davids was also a powerful striker of the ball, as well as being an accurate passer and crosser with his excellent left foot, which enabled him to create chances for teammates after winning back possession, or help control the pace of games in midfield.<ref name="tuttojuve.com"/><ref name="fear">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/20/newsstory.sport |title=A pony-tailed peril who has no fear |work=The Guardian |last1=White |first1=Jim |date=20 April 1999 |access-date=21 March 2024 }}</ref><ref name="La malattia agli occhi">{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2001/04/22/la-malattia-agli-occhi-quel-collirio-proibito.html|title=La malattia agli occhi e quel collirio proibito|work=La Repubblica|language=it|date=22 April 2001|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="cult">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-cult-edgar-davids/|title=The Cult: Edgar Davids|publisher=Vice Sports|author1=Jay Ramanee-Murphy|date=20 December 2016|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> His tactical intelligence, awareness, positioning, and ability to read the game, combined with his speed, energy, tackling, vision, and [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] ability, allowed him to start counter-attacks after winning back possession and also enabled him to carry the ball forward, make attacking runs, and contribute to his team's offensive play by linking up the defence and the attack effectively. His versatility and wide range of skills thus enabled him to be deployed in several other midfield positions throughout his career; he was capable of playing as a [[Midfielder#Winger|left midfielder]], or as a [[Central midfielder|central]] or [[box-to-box midfielder]], or even as a [[left back]], and in his youth, was also deployed as an [[attacking midfielder]], or as a [[second striker]] on occasion.<ref name="football-oranje.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/><ref name="cult"/><ref name="MasterCard All-Star Team of the 1998 World Cup">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=71747/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073958/http://www.fifa.com/newscentre/news/newsid=71747/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2014|title=MasterCard All-Star Team of the 1998 World Cup|website=fifa.com|publisher=FIFA|date=10 July 1998|access-date=23 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/holland/squad/743847.stm|title=Euro 2000 Profiles; Edgard Davids|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="archive.thedailystar.net">{{cite web|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/05/28/d30528041033.htm|title=KEY MEN|publisher=The Daily Star|date=28 May 2003|access-date=7 November 2015|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107085134/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2003/05/28/d30528041033.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/aug/20/edgar-davids-crystal-palace |title=Edgar Davids is ready for a 'big challenge' with Crystal Palace |work=The Guardian |author1=Dominic Fifield |date=20 August 2010 |access-date=7 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/07/17/edgar-davids-the-barcelona-diaries/ |title=Edgar Davids: the Barcelona diaries |publisher=thesefootballtimes.co |last1=Raspin |first1=Jack |date=17 July 2018 |access-date=23 January 2020 }}</ref><ref name="WORLD'S BEST DM">{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2231755/is-vieira-the-world-s-best-defensive-midfielder |title=IS VIEIRA THE WORLD'S BEST DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER? |work=Sky Sports |access-date=16 April 2024 }}</ref>

Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, although he received acclaim for his playing ability and leadership as a footballer, Davids also gained a degree of infamy due to his strong character, temper, and outspokenness, which often led him to be involved in conflicts with his managers; he also struggled with injuries throughout his career.<ref name="football-oranje.com"/><ref name="La malattia agli occhi"/><ref name="cult"/><ref name="WORLD'S BEST DM"/> Due to his aggressive and hard-tackling playing style, Davids earned several nicknames throughout his career, such as "The Piranha", "Tubarão" (The Shark), and most notably, "The Pitbull".<ref name="One-on-One"/> His Juventus manager Lippi once described him as his "one-man engine room."<ref name="tuttojuve.com"/><ref name="One-on-One"/> During his time in Italy, pundits likened him to his rival, Argentine holding midfielder [[Matías Almeyda]], although Almeyda believed that Davids was more offensive-minded, while he instead preferred to focus on the defensive aspect of the game in order to support his more creative and offensive teammates.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2222183/almeyda-does-not-regret-lazio-exit |title=Almeyda Does Not Regret Lazio Exit |work=Sky Sports |last1=Antognoni |first1=Dominique |access-date=14 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/fitness/allenamento/25-04-2021/edgar-davids-diventa-super-sayan-allenamento-pitbull-410461507762.shtml?refresh_ce |title=Edgar Davids diventa Super Sayan: l'allenamento del Pitbull è da Dragon Ball |trans-title=Edgar Davids becomes a Super Sayan: the Pitbull's Dragon Ball–like training |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it-IT |last1=Antonelli |first1=Michele |date=27 April 2021 |access-date=14 March 2024 }}</ref>

==Media==
Davids has appeared in commercials for the American sportswear company [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]].<ref name="Jackson"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Nike and Maven Networks Introduce JogaTV |url=http://nikego.com/media/pr/2006/04/17_jogaTV.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130024001/http://nikego.com/media/pr/2006/04/17_jogaTV.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2013 |work=Nikego |publisher=Nike |date=17 April 2006 |access-date=21 July 2012 }}</ref> In 1996, he starred in a Nike commercial titled "Good vs Evil" in a gladiatorial game set in a [[Roman amphitheatre]]. Appearing alongside football players from around the world, including [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]], [[Paolo Maldini]], [[Eric Cantona]], [[Patrick Kluivert]], and [[Jorge Campos]], they defend "[[The Beautiful Game|the beautiful game]]" against a team of demonic warriors, before it culminates with Cantona striking the ball and destroying evil.<ref name="Jackson">{{cite book|last1=Jackson|first1=Steven J.|title=Sport, Culture and Advertising: Identities, Commodities and the Politics of Representation|url=https://archive.org/details/sportscultureadv00jack|url-access=limited|date=10 November 2004|publisher=Routledge|page=[https://archive.org/details/sportscultureadv00jack/page/n198 186]|isbn=9780415339926}}</ref>

In a global Nike advertising campaign in the run-up to the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] in Korea and Japan, Davids starred in a "[[Secret Tournament]]" commercial (branded by Nike as "Scorpion KO") directed by [[Terry Gilliam]], appearing alongside football players such as [[Thierry Henry]], [[Ronaldinho]], [[Francesco Totti]], [[Luís Figo]] and Japanese star [[Hidetoshi Nakata]], with former player Eric Cantona the tournament "referee".<ref>{{cite news |title=A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts |url=http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |work=NikeBiz |publisher=Nike |access-date=21 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |archive-date=2 June 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Claire |last=Cozens |title=Cantona hosts World Cup with a difference |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/apr/03/advertising.worldcupfootball2002?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |work=The Guardian |date=3 April 2002 |access-date=21 July 2012 }}</ref>

Davids features in EA Sports' [[FIFA (video game series)|''FIFA'' video game series]], and was selected to appear on the cover of ''[[FIFA Football 2003]]'' alongside [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] winger [[Ryan Giggs]] and Brazilian international [[Roberto Carlos]].<ref>[http://www.espnfc.com/gamingzone/editorial/20021025fifarelease.html "FIFA 2003 release date announced"]. ESPN. Retrieved 18 February 2015</ref> The online game ''[[League of Legends]]'' by [[Riot Games]] used Davids' likeness for a character skin called Striker Lucian without permission. Davids sued, and Dutch courts ruled that Riot Games must compensate Davids a percentage of their earnings from the skin.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Edgar Davids wins lawsuit over League of Legends Lucian skin |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-14-ex-footballer-edgar-davids-wins-lawsuit-against-league-of-legends-dev-riot-over-lucian-skin#comments |website=Eurogamer.net |date=14 August 2017 |access-date=18 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

==Coaching career==

===Ajax===
In June 2011, Davids was elected to the new supervisory board at Ajax alongside [[Johan Cruyff]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Legendary duo join Ajax board|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1448328.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112170151/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1448328.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 November 2012|publisher=[[FIFA]]|access-date=11 September 2011|date=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Legendary duo on Ajax board|url=http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/926453/legends-johan-cruyff-and-edgar-davids-join-ajax-board?cc=5739|publisher=[[ESPNsoccernet]]|access-date=13 October 2013|date=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Update: Cruijff na 23 jaar terug in officiële functie bij Ajax|url=http://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=143051|publisher=Voetbalzone|access-date=11 September 2011|language=nl|date=25 July 2011}}</ref>

===Barnet===
[[File:Edgar Davids 16-02-2013 1.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Davids playing for [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] in 2013]]
Since 2010, Davids had been living in [[North London]] with his partner and had been participating in street football as well as managing [[Sunday league football|Sunday league]] amateur side Brixton United.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11750/8160835/Davids-reveals-football-plans|title=Davids reveals football plans|publisher=Sky Sports|date=12 October 2012|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> On 11 October 2012, Davids joined [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] in a [[Player-coach|player-manager]] role, alongside [[Mark Robson (footballer)|Mark Robson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19920753|title=Edgar Davids joins Barnet as joint-head coach|work=BBC Sport |date=12 October 2012}}</ref> On his managerial debut, Barnet lost 4–1 at [[Underhill Stadium|Underhill]] to [[Plymouth Argyle]], with Davids leaving himself out of the squad.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sachin |last=Nakrani |title=Edgar Davids becomes joint-head coach at League Two strugglers Barnet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/oct/11/edgar-davids-barnet |work=The Guardian |date=11 October 2012 |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> They followed this up with a 4–0 home win over [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] where Davids played the full match, captaining the team and being voted Man of the Match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2045vgx4qo|title=Edgar Davids' time at Barnet: Captain, player, manager, number one|date=10 October 2025|website=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Barnet 4 – 0 Northampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19920346|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 October 2012}}</ref> At the end of December 2012, following the departure of Robson, Davids took charge of the club by himself.<ref name=Coach>{{cite web|title=Edgar Davids in charge at Barnet after Mark Robson departs|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20860955|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 December 2012|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> Davids scored his first goal for Barnet in February 2013 in a 2–0 home victory over [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]].<ref name="Barnet 2–0 Southend">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21502297|access-date=27 February 2013 |title=Barnet 2-0 Southend|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

In March 2013, on the return journey from a defeat at [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]], Davids sent the Barnet team coach back to pick up 36 supporters whose coach had broken down on the motorway and take them to the next service station.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barnet/9938407/Former-Champions-League-winner-Edgar-Davids-saves-the-day-after-Barnets-fans-are-stranded-following-defeat.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barnet/9938407/Former-Champions-League-winner-Edgar-Davids-saves-the-day-after-Barnets-fans-are-stranded-following-defeat.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Former Champions League winner Edgar Davids saves the day after Barnet's fans are stranded following defeat |first=James |last=Restall |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 March 2013 |access-date=24 May 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Despite initially guiding Barnet off the foot of League Two, and lifting them out of the relegation zone, Barnet dropped back into the bottom two on the final day of the 2012–13 season, following a defeat to [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]], and were relegated out of the [[English Football League|Football League]] to the advantage of [[AFC Wimbledon]] who were able to escape by beating [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]]. On 21 May 2013, it was announced that Davids would remain in charge of Barnet for the club's 2013–14 [[National League (division)|Conference Premier]] season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11770/8726131/Edgar-Davids-agrees-to-remain-as-Barnet-head-coach-next-season|title=Edgar Davids agrees to remain as Barnet head coach next season|publisher=Sky Sports|date=21 May 2013|access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref> In July 2013, Davids announced his decision to wear the number 1 shirt for the 2013–14 season, a shirt number traditionally worn by [[goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeepers]], saying that he intended to "set a trend" of midfielders wearing the number 1 shirt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/edgar-davids-set-trend-midfielders-wearing-no-1-214615824.html |title=Edgar Davids to 'set trend' of midfielders wearing No.1 shirt (But it's been done) &#124; World of Sport - Yahoo! Eurosport UK |access-date=30 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801062529/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/edgar-davids-set-trend-midfielders-wearing-no-1-214615824.html |archive-date=1 August 2013}}</ref>

Discipline was a major problem for Davids in the 2013–14 season. He was booked in each of the first eight league games he played, and sent off in three of them. There was also controversy when it emerged that he would not attend away games that required an overnight stay, leaving assistant manager [[Ulrich Landvreugd]] to take charge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givemesport.com/380475-edgar-davids-refuses-to-attend-away-games|title=Edgar Davids refuses to attend away games|date=16 September 2013|access-date=28 December 2013|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235627/http://www.givemesport.com/380475-edgar-davids-refuses-to-attend-away-games|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2013, Davids considered retiring from football after being sent off for the third time in the season in Barnet's 2–1 defeat by [[Salisbury City F.C.|Salisbury City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25538964|title=Edgar Davids: Barnet boss may stop playing after third red card|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 December 2013|access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref>

Davids resigned from his post as manager on 18 January 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.barnetfc.com/news/article/edgar-davids-leaves-barnet-fc-1303184.aspx|title=EDGAR DAVIDS LEAVES BARNET FC|publisher=BARNET FC|date=18 January 2014|access-date=18 January 2014|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816170021/http://www.barnetfc.com/news/article/edgar-davids-leaves-barnet-fc-1303184.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2014, [[Southern Counties East Football League]] side [[Greenwich Borough F.C.|Greenwich Borough]] announced they were "in advanced talks" with Davids, with chairman Perry Skinner stating that he was "70% sure he'll come on board".<ref>[http://www.greenwichboroughfc2013.co.uk/club/274219/News/view/846594 Edgar Davids in advanced talks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231952/http://www.greenwichboroughfc2013.co.uk/club/274219/News/view/846594 |date=14 July 2014 }}</ref> The following month it was announced the club's attempt to sign Davids had been unsuccessful.<ref>[http://www.greenwichboroughfc2013.co.uk/club/274219/News/view/848488 Gary Alexander signs for Borough] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715001933/http://www.greenwichboroughfc2013.co.uk/club/274219/News/view/848488 |date=15 July 2014 }}</ref>

===Telstar===
In 2020, Davids was appointed as assistant coach of Dutch [[Eerste Divisie]] club [[SC Telstar|Telstar]].<ref>{{cite news |language=nl |access-date=21 August 2020 |date=17 August 2020 |url=https://sctelstar.nl/edgar-davids-sluit-aan-als-assistent-trainer/ |publisher=SC Telstar |title=EDGAR DAVIDS SLUIT AAN ALS ASSISTENT-TRAINER |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204021055/https://sctelstar.nl/edgar-davids-sluit-aan-als-assistent-trainer/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Olhanense ===
On 4 January 2021, Davids was announced as the head coach of Portuguese side, [[S.C. Olhanense|Olhanense]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 January 2021|title=Edgar Davids named head coach of Portuguese side|url=http://www.football-oranje.com/edgar-davids-named-head-coach-of-portuguese-side/|access-date=4 January 2021|website=Football Orange}}</ref> He was sacked on 19 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 July 2021|title='Catastrofale' samenwerking Davids en Olhanense na half jaar beëindigd|url=https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/catastrofale-samenwerking-davids-en-olhanense-na-half-jaar-beeindigd|access-date=19 July 2021|website=Voetbal International |language=Dutch |trans-title='Catastrophic' collaboration of Davids with Olhanense ends after half a year}}</ref>

=== Netherlands ===

In May 2022, Davids became an assistant coach alongside with [[Danny Blind]] for the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands national team]] under [[Louis van Gaal]] for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/en/articles/van-gaal-recruits-davids-for-world-cup-coaching-job|title=Van Gaal recruits Davids for World Cup coaching job|date=7 May 2022|access-date=25 November 2025|website=FIFA}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Davids was engaged to fashion designer [[Olcay Gulsen]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shownieuws.tv/showflits/olcay-gulsen-en-edgar-davids-gaan-trouwen/ |title=Olcay Gulsen en Edgar Davids gaan trouwen |date=16 August 2010 |work=[[Shownieuws]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530215341/http://www.shownieuws.tv/showflits/olcay-gulsen-en-edgar-davids-gaan-trouwen/ |archive-date=30 May 2012}}</ref> In 1999, Davids started his own Street Soccer brand called Monta Street.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shop.montasoccer.com/ |title=Home page |website=shop.montasoccer.com |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407214612/http://shop.montasoccer.com/ |archive-date=7 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Davids won a lawsuit filed in a Dutch court against ''[[League of Legends]]'' developer [[Riot Games]] for using his likeness in an in-game association football-themed skin for the champion Lucian without his permission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-14-ex-footballer-edgar-davids-wins-lawsuit-against-league-of-legends-dev-riot-over-lucian-skin|title=Edgar Davids wins lawsuit over League of Legends Lucian skin|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=14 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/08/16/dutch-legend-wins-lawsuit-against-league-legends-resemblance-game-character |title=Dutch Legend Wins Lawsuit Against League of Legends for Resemblance to in-Game Character |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=16 August 2017 |access-date=6 December 2022}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[KNVB Cup]], [[Coppa Italia]], [[Copa del Rey]], [[FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
|[[1991–92 Eredivisie|1991–92]]
|[[Eredivisie]]
|13||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||3{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||16||2
|-
|[[1992–93 Eredivisie|1992–93]]
|Eredivisie
|28||4||5||5||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||3||colspan="2"|–||41||12
|-
|[[1993–94 Eredivisie|1993–94]]
|Eredivisie
|15||2||1||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|Appearances in [[European Cup Winners' Cup]]}}||2||colspan="2"|–||21||4
|-
|[[1994–95 AFC Ajax season|1994–95]]
|Eredivisie
|22||5||2||0||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|–||31||5
|-
|[[1995–96 AFC Ajax season|1995–96]]
|Eredivisie
|28||7||6||0||colspan="2"|–||11{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||3{{efn|One appearance in [[Dutch Supercup]], one appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]], one appearance in [[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}||0||48||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!106!!20!!14!!5!!0!!0!!34!!6!!3!!0!!157!!31
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[AC Milan]]
|[[1996–97 AC Milan season|1996–97]]
|[[Serie A]]
|15||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|name=SCI|Appearance in [[Supercoppa Italiana]]}}||0||24||1
|-
|[[1997–98 AC Milan season|1997–98]]
|Serie A
|4||0||2||0|| colspan="2" |–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||6||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!19!!0!!6!!0!!0!!0!!4!!1!!1!!0!!30!!1
|-
|rowspan="8"|[[Juventus FC|Juventus]]
|[[1997–98 Juventus FC season|1997–98]]
|Serie A
|20||2||3||0|| colspan="2" |–||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||28||2
|-
|[[1998–99 Juventus FC season|1998–99]]
|Serie A
|27||2||4||1||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=SCI}}||0||41||3
|-
|[[1999–2000 Juventus FC season|1999–2000]]
|Serie A
|27||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||35||1
|-
|[[2000–01 Juventus FC season|2000–01]]
|Serie A
|26||1||1||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||32||1
|-
|[[2001–02 Juventus FC season|2001–02]]
|Serie A
|28||2||2||0||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||39||2
|-
|[[2002–03 Juventus FC season|2002–03]]
|Serie A
|26||1||0||0||colspan="2"|–||15{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||0||0||41||2
|-
|[[2003–04 Juventus FC season|2003–04]]
|Serie A
|5||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||0||0||12||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!159!!8!!15!!1!!0!!0!!53!!1!!1!!0!!228!!11
|-
|[[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
|[[2003–04 FC Barcelona season|2003–04]]
|[[La Liga]]
|18||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||20||1
|-
|[[Inter Milan]]
|[[2004–05 Inter Milan season|2004–05]]
|Serie A
|14||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||23||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2005–06 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2005–06]]
|[[Premier League]]
|31||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||31||1
|-
|[[2006–07 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2006–07]]
|Premier League
|9||0||0||0||3||0||1{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||13||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!40!!1!!0!!0!!3!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!44!!1
|-
|rowspan="3"|Ajax
|[[2006–07 AFC Ajax season|2006–07]]
|Eredivisie
|11||1||3||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||0||0||14||1
|-
|[[2007–08 AFC Ajax season|2007–08]]
|Eredivisie
|14||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||0||0||14||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!25!!1!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!31!!1
|-
|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
|[[2010–11 Crystal Palace F.C. season|2010–11]]
|[[Football League Championship|Championship]]
|6||0||colspan="2"|–||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||7||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]
|[[2012–13 Barnet F.C. season|2012–13]]
|[[Football League Two|League Two]]
|28||1||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||29||1
|-
|[[2013–14 Football Conference|2013–14]]
|[[Conference Premier]]
|8||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance in [[FA Trophy]]}}||0||10||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!36!!1!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!39!!1
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
!423!!32!!46!!6!!4!!0!!97!!8!!6!!0!!576!!47
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="rsssf.com"/><ref>{{NFT|4659}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]]
|1994||1||0
|-
|1995||4||0
|-
|1996||4||0
|-
|1997||0||0
|-
|1998||11||1
|-
|1999||6||3
|-
|2000||12||0
|-
|2001||6||0
|-
|2002||6||2
|-
|2003||9||0
|-
|2004||14||0
|-
|2005||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!74!!6
|}

:''Scores and results list the Netherlands goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Davids goal''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.voetbalstats.nl/spelernedxi.php?persid=100|title=Interlands en doelpunten van Edgar Davids|first=Website: voetbalstats.nl – Rob|last=Regeer|website=www.voetbalstats.nl}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Edgar Davids
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 29 June 1998 || [[Stadium Municipal]], [[Toulouse]], France || {{flagicon|Serbia and Montenegro}} [[Serbia and Montenegro national football team|FR Yugoslavia]] || align="center"|2–1 || align="center"|2–1 || [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 31 March 1999 || [[Amsterdam Arena]], [[Amsterdam]], Netherlands || {{fb|ARG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–1 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || rowspan="2"|4 September 1999 || rowspan="2"|[[De Kuip]], [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands || rowspan="2"|{{fb|BEL}} || align="center"|1–2 || rowspan="2" align="center"|5–5 || rowspan="2"| Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || align="center"|2–2
|-
| align="center"|5 || 21 August 2002 || [[Ullevaal Stadion]], [[Oslo]], Norway || {{fb|NOR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|6 || 7 September 2002 || [[Philips Stadion]], [[Eindhoven]], Netherlands || {{fb|BLR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–0 || [[UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying]]
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|8 May 2021}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Edgar Davids Managerial statistics |url=http://www.managerstats.co.uk/managers/edgar-davids/|publisher=ManagerStats.co.uk|date=13 August 2015 |access-date=28 September 2015}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Nat
!rowspan="2"|From
!rowspan="2"|To
!colspan="5"|Record
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]
|align=left|{{fbicon|ENG}}
|align=left|11 October 2012
|align=left|18 January 2014
{{WDL|68|25|18|25|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[S.C. Olhanense|Olhanense]]
|align=left|{{fbicon|POR}}
|align=left|4 January 2021
|align=left|19 July 2021
{{WDL|18|8|5|5|decimals=1}}
|-
!colspan="4"|Total
{{WDLtot|86|33|23|30}}
|}

==Honours==
'''Ajax'''<ref name=SW>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/edgar-davids/272974/|title=E. Davids|work=Soccerway|access-date=30 December 2015}}</ref>
*[[Eredivisie]]: [[1993–94 Eredivisie|1993–94]], [[1994–95 Eredivisie|1994–95]], [[1995–96 Eredivisie|1995–96]]
*[[KNVB Cup]]: [[1992–93 KNVB Cup|1992–93]], [[2006–07 KNVB Cup|2006–07]]
*[[Johan Cruyff Shield]]: [[1995 Dutch Supercup|1995]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[1995 UEFA Champions League Final|1994–95]]
*[[UEFA Cup]]: [[1992 UEFA Cup Final|1991–92]]
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1995 UEFA Super Cup|1995]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1995 Intercontinental Cup|1995]]

'''Juventus'''<ref name=SW/>
*[[Serie A]]: [[1997–98 Serie A|1997–98]], [[2001–02 Serie A|2001–02]], [[2002–03 Serie A|2002–03]]
*[[Supercoppa Italiana]]: [[2003 Supercoppa Italiana|2003]]
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup|1999]]

'''Inter Milan'''<ref name=SW/>
*[[Coppa Italia]]: [[2004–05 Coppa Italia|2004–05]]

'''Netherlands'''<ref name=SW/>
*[[FIFA World Cup]] fourth place: [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]
*[[UEFA European Championship]] third place: [[UEFA Euro 2000|2000]], [[UEFA Euro 2004|2004]]

'''Individual'''
*[[KNVB Cup]] Golden Boot: [[1992–93 KNVB Cup|1992–93]]
*[[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: [[1998 FIFA World Cup#All-Star Team|1998]]<ref name="MasterCard All-Star Team of the 1998 World Cup"/>
*[[UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament]]: [[UEFA Euro 2000#Awards|2000]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/finals/history/memories/newsid=1627525.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602045322/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/finals/history/memories/newsid=1627525.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 June 2013|title=UEFA Euro 2000 team of the tournament|website=[[UEFA]]|publisher=UEFA|date=1 January 2011|access-date=31 March 2015}}</ref>
*[[FIFA 100]]<ref name="Pele">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3533891.stm |title=Pele's list of the greatest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of Jews in sports#Football (Association; Soccer)|List of select Jewish football (association; soccer) players]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{FIFA player|160385}}
* {{Soccerbase}}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020230657/http://www.vi.nl/Spelers/Speler.htm?dbid=15476&typeofpage=84137 |date=20 October 2012 |title=Voetbal International profile }}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011211537/http://www.knvb.nl/oranje/selectie/spelers/detail?player_id=20031007140910175 |date=11 October 2006 |title=KNVB national team profile}} {{in lang|nl}}
* {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712175800/http://www.footballdatabase.com/index.php?page=player&Id=685&b=true&pn=Edgar_Steven_Davids |date=12 July 2010 |title=FootballDatabase career profile and stats }}
* {{Wereld van Oranje|501}}
* [http://voetbalstats.nl/spelerec.php?persid=100 Profile] at voetbalstats.nl
* [http://www.montasoccer.com Edgar Davids his fashion label Monta Street Soccer]

{{Navboxes
|title=Netherlands squads
|bg=#F1771D
|fg=white
|bordercolor=#21468B
|list1=
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
{{Netherlands squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
{{Netherlands squad UEFA Euro 2004}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|title= Awards
|list1=
{{FIFA 100}}
{{1998 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{UEFA Euro 2000 Team of the Tournament}}
}}
{{Barnet F.C. managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Davids, Edgar}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Paramaribo]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Dutch men's footballers]]
[[Category:Netherlands men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Netherlands men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Surinamese emigrants to the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Surinamese people of Jewish descent]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2004 players]]
[[Category:FIFA 100]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:AFC Ajax players]]
[[Category:AC Milan players]]
[[Category:Juventus FC players]]
[[Category:FC Barcelona players]]
[[Category:Inter Milan players]]
[[Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Barnet F.C. players]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
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[[Category:Eredivisie players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:National League (English football) players]]
[[Category:Doping cases in association football]]
[[Category:Dutch sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Dutch football managers]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Barnet F.C. managers]]
[[Category:S.C. Olhanense managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in England]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
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[[Category:English Football League managers]]
[[Category:National League (English football) managers]]
[[Category:Men's association football player-managers]]
[[Category:SC Telstar non-playing staff]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch sportsmen]]