MATT TAYLOR has been announced as the new manager of non-league club Wealdstone.
The former Portsmouth, Bolton and West Ham midfielder, 42, was sacked by League Two side Shrewsbury in January after a run of seven defeats in eight games.
But now Taylor, who also spent nine months as Walsall head coach, has returned to management with National League outfit Wealdstone.
He said: “I am excited to join Wealdstone.
“We have a great opportunity to build something special here, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
While Wealdstone chairman Rory Fitzgerald added: “We are thrilled to welcome Matt to Wealdstone.
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“His experience at the top levels of football, both as a player and a coach, will be invaluable as we strive to develop our club to achieve our long-term ambitions.
“Matt’s vision for the team, his clear principles for how he wants us to play and his track record of developing young talent are exactly what we need.”
As a player, Taylor accumulated more than 300 appearances in the Premier League.
He also won the second tier with Portsmouth and Burnley, but narrowly missed out on Pompey’s 2008 FA Cup victory after leaving Fratton Park midway through the season.
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He begun his coaching career as caretaker boss at Swindon, losing his only match in charge.
His first full-time position was at Tottenham’s U21s between 2019 and 2021.
Walsall brought him in after the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign, but he won just nine of 26 games at the helm before being dismissed in February 2022.
He was appointed Shrewsbury manager last summer, but lasted just six months and was axed following a torrid run of form with the club 19th in League One, seven points above the relegation zone.
They finished the campaign in 19th, avoiding the drop by just four points.
Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
