Former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has explained why he’s stepped away from his job managing Dubai club Al Qabila FC.
Taylor is a Newcastle United academy graduate who went on to make 268 appearances for his boyhood club between 2003 and 2016.
The former Newcastle United star has been working out in the UAE for a while now and has enjoyed significant success in the dugout.
Indeed, Taylor has won four consecutive promotions as a manager, two of them coming with the Dubai-based side, Al Qabila.
However, on Thursday, the 39-year-old confirmed he was leaving the club and explained his decision in a statement.
Steven Taylor and Papiss Cisse celebrate after Newcastle United score against Anji Makhachkala in the Europa League.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Steven Taylor hints at “exciting” new job after leaving Al Qabila FC
Taylor gave an exclusive interview to Sports and Gulf Magazine.
During the discussion, he reflected on the “rollercoaster” of last season before confirming his intention to leave.
“A very interesting season, that finished positively with the collective goal of promotion,” he said.
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“4 promotions in 4 consecutive years! Another rollercoaster season in UAE football, with plenty of ups and downs.
“Couldn’t have been done without the work and commitment of Sam White behind the scenes, before the team saw it out on the final day of the season with a great result to confirm the promotion.
“All of my thanks goes to the players for their respect, patience, consistent performances & dedication to a cause throughout the season, no matter the situation.
“I would also like to announce that I am stepping away… and wish the club the greatest of success in their division 2 campaign next season. I look forward to seeing where the project goes in the near future.
“A new project is on the horizon, this is the most exciting one yet…”
Interestingly, Taylor is a co-founder of a group called ‘The Player’, which focuses on the development of young athletes in the UAE.
It remains to be seen if he’s stepping away from management duty to devote his attention to that, or to move on to another club.
The other former Newcastle United hero playing for Al Qabila FC
Ex-Toon striker Papiss Cisse joined Taylor at Al Qabila FC and, ironically enough, scored the goal that got them promoted to the second tier last month.
Sports and Gulf Magazine adds that the forward’s future is uncertain. Now 40, it’s unclear as to whether or not he will stay in the game.
If he doesn’t, Cisse can look back on a remarkable career that took him from Senegal to France, Germany, Turkey, England and Dubai.
Cisse is a cult-hero at Newcastle United and it will be fascinating to see what he does next. Should he stay at Al Qabila FC, few would bet against him scoring goals next season.