I know that this isn't the first time I've mentioned him and I'm going to sound like a warped record but I am scratching my head as to why Matt Taylor isn't being talked up or included in the betting for our next Manager. So, what is wrong with the credentials of someone that
(1) is not just leading his team to promotion but on the verge of being Champions too
(2) is managing a team that has picked up 50 out of the last 66 points available
(3) is in charge of a side that has only conceded 6 goals in their last 12 matches when the pressure for promotion is at its greatest
(4) has been in the same job for four seasons with a win record of 45% and a loss record of just 25% from 212 games in charge
(5) was a major part of CP's League 1 Champions team in playing in 41 of the 46 games that season
(6) is so open to different footballing ideas so much so that, at the very late age of 23, he switched from being a keeper to a centre back. Who has ever done that successfully?
(7) played for his current club as he did for us so has proven credentials for being able to play, coach and manage at the same club
(8) played with a major figure in our backroom staff namely Jason Euell
(9) is known for bringing through young players - six of the 14 players used in their last game are 23 or younger and only two are older than 27
(10) Success despite having to sell the attacking influences of Randell Williams, Ryan Bowman and Joey Randall but identified suitable replacements
(11) Will know how to bring the very best out of Stockley who he managed at Exeter and unless we sell him that will be a major key to our success
(12) on his release as a player, our very own fans said of him on CL: "Never once moaned about losing his place and was always available when called upon. Great pro, good luck to him" "Had the pleasure of a round of golf with him and he was genuinely a great bloke" "Was on Matt's table at the sponsors do in the promotion season. Lovely fella" "Yep good luck to Matt always gave 100% and nice bloke gave my son a signed shirt when he left" "Matt is a good friend of a contact of mine in Manchester. When he heard I was a Charlton fan he went to the trouble of getting me a signed Charlton shirt of all the players in our Division 1 title winning side. That is now framed and has pride of place on my hall wall. Genuine bloke" "If only all players had the attitude, character and commitment that Matt Taylor showed"
(13) the fans of his current club rank him (in his first job as a manager) as one of their best ever Managers as per these comments from half a dozen contributors to their forum: "In four seasons MT has rebuilt a couple of attacking teams now, quite frankly i actually believe last season in periods-that was probably the most formidable attacking team (Randall,Randall,Jay,Bowman) i've ever seen at SJP. Its been a long ten years in League 2 and Matty had gone close, but for me you have to praise him because people were quite rightly questioning if it was ever going to happen, we had just received the Watkins and Randall Money and Fans expectations changed drastically and he got his Marquee signings in and has now fantastically completed the job. For me Taylor is on course to be our Best Manager ever, He's also my favourite manager ever in that he is very humble and will take accountability and i'm sure if things do wrong and he wasn't the man to take the club forward, he would be the first person to say so." "I think if we win the title then it elevates Taylor above Tisdale as it will be one each on net promotions but winning the Championship pips it. Its a close call but then taking into account both of their personalities Taylor wins as Tisdale was a c0ck and Taylor isn't." "Tactically, MT has the edge on the other managers of the promotion sides I have seen." "What really excites though, is looking forward. This season MT has really produced the goods, and for the most part through very entertaining football (which is why I think the crowds this season have been so impressive). He’s had a cash advantage, but still less to play with than a few of the others in the division. I think if he can keep the better players and add a couple the next couple of seasons could put him top for me" "Matt Taylor is the GOAT"
If we want someone who will, potentially, build for the future as opposed to a short term fix then why not go for a Manager with a proven record for doing so and who carries no baggage with him. There are clues from what our supporters who know him said when he left us and what Exeter fans are saying now so far as his personality is concerned. But we also know that he likes his sides to play entertaining football, that he is tactically sound and knows who and what type of player to bring in. In fact, he sounds very much like Eddie Howe and his playing background is similar too - I don't think Howe ever played above League 1.
And for those that still have doubts about his ability to produce the magical, from five years ago when he was the Exeter defensive coach, please watch this!
I’d be happy with Taylor despite saying I didn’t want a former player.
On goalkeepers switching to an outfield position, another former player did it too - Josh Magennis. Slightly younger age at 17/18 but had even been the sub keeper for Cardiff’s first team.
Yes I was thinking of Taylor as well. Not done a bad job there.
Lot of rumours Bowyer might come back. Would like to have seen what he would of done with a transfer kitty for us.
Not going to leave a championship team for us though. Especially the size of Birmingham.
I think Matt Taylor would be a good choice but if he is going to come to us, we would need to offer him a very good deal to entice him away from Exeter. I would have thought he would fancy a chance of seeing what he could do with Exeter next season.
As to Bowyer returning - NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO (ad infinitum). Not a nice person and a terrible manager. I still remember some of his public comments about players, particularly a young Albie Morgan. That is NOT how to manage anyone.
Taylor was also one of my first thoughts after our relegation from the championship, he did well with Exeter that season getting them into the play-offs. Of course Bowyer stayed but even after Adkins left he was still one of my first choices.
Can't see him leaving Exeter now he has won league 2 and got them promoted.
He went down in stages when he played for us, he was so unfit and overweight.
From a management perspective he got lucky with Burton one season but hasn’t set the world alight at QPR or Northampton.
Personally, I don’t care who’s manager if they get us back up to and competitive in the Championship. My fear is that with the expected budget and non-playing management we have in place this is going to prove difficult for whoever gets the role.
Over the past few years apart from Powell, Bowyer and Jackson most of the managers have been instantly forgettable or remembered for the wrong things including hiding in laundry baskets.
Taylor was also one of my first thoughts after our relegation from the championship, he did well with Exeter that season getting them into the play-offs. Of course Bowyer stayed but even after Adkins left he was still one of my first choices.
Can't see him leaving Exeter now he has won league 2 and got them promoted.
Would depend if TS could sell him the "vision" and of course one would think that his salary would be much improved. Don't like the "we are a bigger club" argument but the fact is that Exeter's average crowd is about 5,000 and their capacity is 8,679. That, in itself, is going to restrict them so far as growth is concerned.
Taylor was also one of my first thoughts after our relegation from the championship, he did well with Exeter that season getting them into the play-offs. Of course Bowyer stayed but even after Adkins left he was still one of my first choices.
Can't see him leaving Exeter now he has won league 2 and got them promoted.
Taylor is a young and upcoming manager who will at some point want to move onto a bigger and better job than Exeter City. He might well fancy having a crack with them in league one next season but if he were given the opportunity to manage Charlton he might just as easily see that as a stepping stone to even bigger things. I think every manager in league two and at least 2/3 of league one would look at the Charlton job very seriously.
Just reading up on Michael Beale and he looks like a great prospect as the coach. Will Sandgaard look for a manager to go alongside him? Where does that leave Euell - academy, development and junior teams? We need a strong academy to feed into senior team and sell on other prospects….
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On goalkeepers switching to an outfield position, another former player did it too - Josh Magennis. Slightly younger age at 17/18 but had even been the sub keeper for Cardiff’s first team.
Too small and too Chelsea.
Liked him as a player for us aswell.
Anyone know how Exeter play? I see the attacking bit mentioned but wondered if anyone had ever see them play.
if you know the name but cannot say, would he have been a good appointment and is he doing well where he is?
As to Bowyer returning - NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO (ad infinitum). Not a nice person and a terrible manager. I still remember some of his public comments about players, particularly a young Albie Morgan. That is NOT how to manage anyone.
Not that I have faith in him bringing in the right manager.
Can't see him leaving Exeter now he has won league 2 and got them promoted.
Personally, I don’t care who’s manager if they get us back up to and competitive in the Championship. My fear is that with the expected budget and non-playing management we have in place this is going to prove difficult for whoever gets the role.
Is your source reliable ?
And how is Mr x doing in his new job ?
We need a strong academy to feed into senior team and sell on other prospects….