Gareth Taylor has parted ways with Manchester City Women after almost five years in charge
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Manchester City Women have sacked Gareth Taylor
Manchester City Women have sacked Gareth Taylor
(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City Women have sacked head coach Gareth Taylor, just five days before the League Cup final against Chelsea.
City have endured a difficult season in the Women's Super League. They sit fourth, a mammoth 12 points behind leaders Chelsea and one adrift of third-place Arsenal, who sit inside the final Champions League place.
While City are into the League Cup final, the FA Cup semi-final and Champions League quarter-final, the club have decided to axe Taylor, 52, to give them the best shot of finishing in the top-three this season.
Speaking of Taylor's departure, managing director Charlotte O'Neill told the club's website: "Manchester City prides itself on competing at the top of the WSL and on its outstanding record of qualifying for European competition.
"Unfortunately, results this season have so far not reached this high standard. With six games of the WSL campaign remaining, we believe that a change of management will breathe fresh life into our bid to ensure qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Women’s Champions League.
"We would like to place on record our thanks to Gareth for all of his efforts during his many years at City. Our FA Cup and League Cup triumphs will remain special moments in the history of this football club. We wish him all the best for the future."
Taylor, a former Wales international forward, retired from professional football in September 2011 and immediately returned to get a coaching role at City, having enjoyed three years there as a player.
After spending several years in the men's youth system, Taylor was appointed as City's women's boss in May 2020. He guided City to the FA Cup within his first six months in the role and helped them to a second-place Women's Super League finish in his first season.
The 2021/22 campaign saw City lift the FA Cup for the second time in Taylor's reign, while they finished third in the league. While City didn't win a trophy and dropped out of the Champions League places in his third season, Taylor was given the vote of confidence to turn around their fortunes.
And Taylor did just that, though City narrowly missed out on winning the league title on the final day of the season. They finished behind winners Chelsea on goal difference, denying them their second-ever title.
The start to this season, however, is not gone to plan for City and Taylor has been sacked after almost five years in charge. During his time at the helm, Taylor won 96 and drew 13 of his 136 matches.