Former Manchester City player and youth coach Gareth Taylor is the new head coach of the Women’s team. How will he do in the role?
Gareth Taylor may be as a sideways appointment. He is not the most promising female coach in the country like Emma Hayes. He didn’t have a glamorous career like Casey Stoney.
Taylor is much in the same mould of Nick Cushing and Alan Mahon. It’s a show of commitment to the style created within the club.
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Before Taylor took charge of City’s youth teams, they won nearly every competition on offer. His appointment marked a change in strategy.
Big, fast and physical sides were the norm, romping to victories in nearly every competition. The youth system was failing, with the mentality not translating into successful senior careers.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat changed with Gareth Taylor’s appointment. After losing several players to other clubs, the focus had to turn to producing talent.
He brought players such as Phil Foden, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Eric Garcia.
What Will He Bring to the Women’s Side?
Taylor won’t bring much difference tactically to the side. Changes will be behind the scenes. Manchester City’s managerial hierarchy have made a big move here. Taylor is very well regarded as a coach and a people person.
He is a man with a consistent vision and plan to aid a side in the long term. He helped some of City’s biggest stars. This includes key players like Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze and Karen Bardsley.
Taylor aided their transition to full-time football when he was coaching the under-16 men’s side.
Embed from Getty ImagesFollowers of City’s youth teams will be disappointed after the move. Many saw his side as the highlight of the season, being 12 points clear at the top of their division. All this whilst conforming to City’s policy of playing players two years below their age group.
It’s unlikely style or personnel will change. Taylor will bring a different environment, perhaps more open to experimentation.
This will be his first senior job and will be a large mountain to climb. Also his first job in women’s football but if there is someone who will be prepared to take it on, it’s Gareth Taylor.
