Former Burnley striker Gareth Taylor on his ambitions of first team management

Former Clarets striker Gareth Taylor is relishing learning from Pep Guardiola - "arguably the best coach who ever lived".
Gareth TaylorGareth Taylor
Gareth Taylor

And the Manchester City Academy manager admits it is ultimately his goal to make the step up to first team level, when the right club and opportunity presents itself.

Taylor enjoyed his most productive spell with Burnley, who he joined from City in 2001, after helping the Blues win successive promotions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As his playing career reached the end, he started his coaching badges, and took charge of Wrexham's reserves, before retiring in September 2011, and returning to City.

Pep GuardiolaPep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola

He was recruited to help develop young players from Dubai, before then becoming Under 16s coach at City a year later.

And in in the summer of 2017 was appointed City's academy manager, replacing Lee Carsley.

Taylor spoke of his route into coaching, and ambitions for the future: "I think when the countdown is on to the end of your career, you start to think what you want to do.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"You look at all different options, some of them daft ones, but I realised football was the only thing I knew.

"I played for managers who communicated really well, others who didn't, and it just was quite seamless really.

"I was falling down the leagues, I went to Tranmere, Wrexham and to be fair to Dean Saunders - this is where I got the bug - he allowed me to take the reserves, which was great.

"It was an unbelievable experience, standing up in front of the players, in front of my teammates, and then I got the opportunity to go into Manchester City after a couple of interviews.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I started off with the younger ages, Under 16s and now Under 18s."

He added: "The last six or seven years I've had at the club have been amazing in terms of learning, being able to try things, working with good players, learning from other coaches.

"I have a passion to go on and manage at first team level one day, I've had opportunities, but decided to stay and continue my learning.

"There will be that moment when I'll definitely want to do it and have a good go at it as well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I'm just trying to gather as much information and learning as I can now, to stand me in good stead for when I do get that chance.

"We have arguably the best coach who ever lived here, and it's an amazing place to be, I'm very fortunate to be here and be able to work in this environment."