Matt Taylor has stated he would be open to staying on at Exeter City on a permanent basis ahead of their final-day relegation showdown.
The former Bristol Rovers head took on the role at St. James Park back in March following the exit of Gary Caldwell to League One relegation rivals Wigan Athletic, and now faces 90 minutes to save the Grecians’ third-tier status.
Exeter welcome Bradford City to Devon with the Bantams in their own battle for a playoff place, and only a win, combined with Leyton Orient dropping points, will guarantee the club remain at this level for another season.
Taylor Open To Continue
Regardless of which division City will be in come the final whistle on Saturday, the question of who will take over and manage the club remains a big topic of discussion.
Speaking to Devon Live about whether he is interested in staying on at the side he previously managed between 2018 and 2022, Taylor said:
“Those are discussions for post-game, for after the game and probably after the weekend because there’ll be an emotional side to whatever happens come 5pm.
(Does relegation play a factor in the decision?) “No, it’s got nothing to do with that in relation to myself. It’s obviously a professional decision to be made in terms of where the club are at and where I’m at in terms my managerial career and then there’s a personal one in terms of the family.
“But one thing which being back here in this short period is reminding me is what a special club this is and how I can play a part in this special club, because I know it as well as anyone. It’s going to go through a time of difficulty financially, where it’s going to have to rely on the product of young players, ideally through the academy system.
“Look, there’s something special about this football club, so I am definitely open to what’s to come in terms of those discussions. But we’ve been so respectful of everyone’s situation and certainly no more so than ourselves and the players that we’ve kept that on the back burner.
“I will listen and not just to the football club, I’ll listen to people close to me as well, who will also have a say. I’ll listened to myself in terms of what I feel, I’m a big ‘feel’ person in terms of what’s next and there will become a point where we make a decision.”
No Better Choice Than Taylor
Despite what has been a tough spell back in charge at St James Park, Matt Taylor has kept the club in touch to keep their survival chances alive heading into the final day.
They should fancy their chances against a Bradford City side that have been poor on the road and likely to be without key attacking players like Bobby Pointon and Tyreik Wright at their disposal.
Whether Burton Albion can do them a favour as well against Leyton Orient remains to be seen, but this will be a contest of fine margins to determine who joins Northampton Town, Port Vale and Rotherham United in League Two next season.
Matt Taylor would be a good choice regardless of division next season, and being the man who led the Grecians into League One back in 2020, using academy prospects, already has a lot of goodwill within the fanbase in Devon.
While there will be some other options on the market, such as Conor Hourihane upon his exit at Barnsley, the 44-year-old’s familiarity with the club should be what gives him the edge in the contest.