Walsall FC have confirmed the appointment of Matthew Taylor, who will become the club's new Head Coach as of Tuesday, 1st June 2021.
Taylor will be assisted at Banks’s Stadium by former Blackpool manager and Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United coach, Neil McDonald, who will take up the role of First Team Coach.
39-year-old Taylor joins the club from Tottenham Hotspur where he has been part of the coaching staff at the Premier League club concentrating on the performance of Spurs’ young talent.
He also had a brief spell as Swindon Town’s interim manager in 2018 after the departure of David Flitcroft. A year later, he acquired his UEFA Pro License and has been working at Spurs since 2019.
As a player, Taylor represented Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers, West Ham United, and Burnley in the Premier League, making over 300 appearances. He also had spells at Luton Town, Northampton Town, and Swindon Town in the EFL.
The new Head Coach will see out the remainder of the campaign at Spurs before arriving at Banks’s Stadium at the end of June.
Saddlers Chairman Leigh Pomlett spoke to club journalists and insisted he is pleased to have his number one target on board.
Speaking via the club's official website, Leigh said; "Matthew is young, ambitious, and successful and I am delighted that we have been able to attract him to leave Tottenham Hotspur to become our Head Coach.
"I have spent a number of hours talking with Matt in recent days and he meets the profile of the Head Coach I am seeking for Walsall Football Club.
"Coupled with Neil McDonald and working closely with Jamie Fullarton, we now have the right set up to drive the Walsall football agenda forward.
"I do not want more of the same and I am looking for a significant shake-up of the club and believe this is the right team to do it. I welcome Matthew to the club and look forward to his impact."
Technical Director Jamie Fullarton admitted he was impressed by Taylor and is also looking forward to working with him. He added; "I am delighted we have been able to secure Matthew as the new Head Coach.
"During a thorough recruitment process undertook, Matthew was our stand out candidate and was our number one target for the role.
"He has a clear defined vision and detailed plan along with the skill set and character to drive the club forward in a direction that aligns with the club’s strategy.
"I am really looking forward to working with Matthew, who will no doubt have a major impact and will create a genuine feeling of optimism amongst everyone involved with the football club for the coming season."