Exeter City have officially named Matt Taylor as their permanent manager for the second time, following his interim stint since March. The 44-year-old returns to the helm after stepping in when Gary Caldwell departed for Wigan Athletic.
This marks a familiar chapter for the Grecians. Taylor first took charge in June 2018, succeeding the long-serving Paul Tisdale. His initial tenure was a success story: he guided Exeter to promotion from League Two in 2022 before moving on to manage Rotherham United and later Bristol Rovers. Now, he's back at St James Park to steer the club through a challenging period.
Taylor's return hasn't been without its hurdles. He was unable to prevent Exeter's relegation from League One on the final day of the season, a bitter blow for the fan-owned club. However, the board moved quickly to make his role permanent after considering a wide range of candidates.
He'll work alongside a familiar coaching team, including assistant manager Kevin Nicholson and Dan Green, who has been promoted to an assistant role. Taylor's deep connection to Exeter runs through his playing days as well. A former club captain, he was part of the squad that secured back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One between 2008 and 2009, scoring 20 goals in 162 appearances.
"Coming back to Exeter reminded me just how special this club is," Taylor said. "There's work to do, on and off the pitch, as the whole club goes through something of a reset and I'm excited to be part of this. We know we will need to rely on the young players, ideally through the academy system and this is one area where I have a great deal of experience."
Club chairman Wilf Walsh echoed this sentiment, highlighting Taylor's unique understanding of the supporter-owned model and academy development. "He understands every aspect of the club," Walsh explained. "He knows how to get promoted out of League Two and he is absolutely committed to the academy and the model of developing young players which has been so successful for us in recent years."
With relegation now a reality, Exeter face a period of rebuilding. As the club braces for "drastic" squad cuts, Taylor's task is clear: reset the squad, lean on the academy's talent, and mount a promotion push from League Two—a division he knows intimately. For fans, his appointment brings a sense of stability and a familiar face to lead the charge back up the football pyramid.