Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor is the WSL's longest-serving manager after Emma Hayes’ departure from the Chelsea at the end of the 2023-24 season. Taylor, 51, has been in charge at the Academy Stadium for over four years, first appointed in May 2020. He has yet to lead the team to a WSL title, but has enjoyed plenty of success since taking the job.
Here’s everything you need to know about the City coach and his career to date Gareth Taylor: His career so far Like a few of his fellow WSL managers, Taylor had a distinguished playing career in the men’s professional game before becoming a coach. Born in Weston-Super-Mare, Taylor’s first pro contract came at a West Country club, with Bristol Rovers offering him a deal. A four-year spell in the early nineties followed, with Taylor then turning out for Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.
Then came his first encounter with Manchester City, the forward signing for the club in November 1998 – with City struggling in Division Two at the time. Fortunately the Citizens got themselves promoted at Wembley in dramatic fashion via the play-offs, before reaching the Premier League the following year. Taylor later enjoyed successful spells at Burnley at Nottingham Forest before retiring in 2011 whilst at Wrexham.
By that point his coaching career had already begun in earnest, regularly taking charge of Wrexham’s reserve side. First re-joining City as under-16 coach, Taylor had various youth development roles at the club he pla.
