Exeter City in search for new manager

Matt Taylor leaves for Rotherham

Just days after Exeter City coach Matt Taylor revealed he had been approached about taking the vacant manager's job at Championship side Rotherham, he has left the club.

Assistant manager Wayne Carlisle will be joining him in South Yorkshire.

Under 18s coach Kevin Nicholson and first team coach and lead professional development phase coach Jon Hill are taking over the first team in the interim period, while the club board begins the recruitment process for a new manager.

The position will be advertised externally.

Marcelo Bielsa, formerly of Leeds United, Thomas Tukel (Chelsea) and Steve Bruce (Newcastle) are all in the market at the moment. Jose Mourinho is thought unlikely to leave Roma. 

In a joint statement, Exeter City's president Julian Tagg and Nick Hawker, chair of the supporters' trust said: “Everybody at Exeter City is disappointed to lose Matt. He has been a fantastic manager for the club and will of course be rightfully recognised for taking the team to League One for the first time in 10 years.

“Coming through the club firstly as a player, our under 23s manager, and, ultimately our manager, he has understood the importance of our ownership model. Our fans will be disappointed to lose Matt, but we are sure they will join us in thanking Matt for his commitment to the club and wish him every success for the future.”

They added: “During his tenure as manager Matt has built a competitive League One side and we are optimistic that these foundations will stand us in good stead as we recruit a new manager and continue our League One campaign.

“We would also like to thank assistant manager Wayne Carlisle for his service to the club. He has been an important member of the boot room staff following initially his appointment as head of coaching in 2017 and then as assistant manager in 2019 and we wish him every success in his career.”

A formal announcement was delayed whilst Rotherham and Exeter thrashed out a compensation deal. Talks were said to be amicable, but the amount paid hasn't been revealed.