DARIO Gradi has stood down as Crewe Alexandra manager, just 48 hours before Colchester United’s FA Cup first round tie at Gresty Road.

DARIO Gradi has stood down as Crewe Alexandra manager, just 48 hours before Colchester United’s FA Cup first round tie at Gresty Road.

Gradi first became manager of the Railwaymen in 1983, and has remained in that post for the intervening 28 years, with the exception of a couple of years as Technical Director of Football.

Instead, his assistant Steve Davis has been promoted to the Crewe hot-seat, and will take charge for the visit of the U’s.

The 46-year-old ex-Northwich and Nantwich boss played under Gradi at Crewe during the 1980s.

Speaking about the achievements of Gradi during his press conference at Colchester this morning, boss John Ward said: “Dario is a rare breed.

“I’m certain you won’t see the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Dario Gradi at one club for that long in years to come. It has become a cut-throat business.”

But Gradi is not leaving Crewe altogether. The 70-year-old will remain as Director of Football and on the Board of Directors, and will also become the Head of the Academy.