Exeter City Set To Hand Matt Taylor Permanent Return After Relegation Blow

Matt Taylor is set to be handed the chance to take Exeter City back into SkyBet League One for a second time, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

As it stands, Taylor’s job as interim boss is now over after the Grecians were relegated to the game’s fourth tier.

The Devon club haven’t decided on who to appoint as a permanent successor to Gary Caldwell who departed for Wigan in February.

But despite winning only one game from his 13-match reign, Yorkshire-based Taylor remains popular with the St James’ Park faithful. 

The 44-year-old Lancastrian has already indicated he would be happy to discuss any future role.

Taylor is a Grecians legend, having made the bulk of his Football League appearances for City.

And he cemented his place in supporters’ hearts by guiding Exeter into League One in 2022 after a hat-trick of play-off misses.

Taylor’s work at St James’ Park eventually saw him move on to Rotherham United and Bristol Rovers but he suffered an unhappy time at both clubs while experiencing personal family tragedy.

OBVIOUS CHOICE

He was an obvious choice to replace Caldwell but couldn’t arrest the club’s decline.

A final game win over promotion chasing Bradford City would have been good enough for safety. Instead, they lost and finished three points adrift of fifth bottom Leyton Orient.

Former Peterborough chief Darren Ferguson-linked to a plethora of lower league positions-ex Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham manager,Darrell Clarke and former Oxford United gaffer Des Buckingham-currently working in Saudi Arabia-are also potential candidates.

But Exeter’s worrying financial situation and expected reduced playing budget for next season means a ‘big’ name manager is unlikely.

Taylor, however, understands the situation, knows the club inside out and would be happy to work within the constraints.

Exeter are looking to make a quick decision to resolve the situation.