SOLIHULL Moors have confirmed the appointment of Matt Taylor as the club’s new head coach.
Taylor replaces Andy Whing in the Damson Park dugout after the latter left Moors earlier this week to become head coach at League Two side Barrow.
The 43-year-old left his position at Solihull’s National League rivals Wealdstone to take up the head coach role at Moors.
Taylor will take charge of Moors for the first time this weekend when Solihull entertain Halifax Town at Damson Park (Saturday, January 25, kick-off 3pm).
Taylor said: “I’d like to thank Darryl [Eales], Wardy [Stephen Ward] and the board for this opportunity. It’s a great club with big plans and ambitions, on and off the pitch, and I am really looking forward to playing my part in that.
“I have been made to feel at home straight away and I am absolutely determined to repay the trust that has been placed in me by building a successful team playing good football to entertain the fans.”
Moors chairman, Darryl Eales added: “This week has been bittersweet from a personal perspective and reflects the topsy turvy world of football.
“On the one hand, I’m delighted for Whingy as he is both a top man and an excellent coach. Supported by Wardy and the first team staff and players, Whingy and Peady did us proud last season and so nearly got us into the EFL.
“Similarly, I’m absolutely delighted that we have been able to attract Matt to the club. We had many highly respected applicants, but Matt was the outstanding candidate for many reasons.
“He’s intelligent, articulate, principled, knows the league and already has a good understanding of Moors, our ethos and our ambition allied to a real hunger and humility to continue to build on our strong foundations.”
Director of football, Stephen Ward said: “I’ve worked with Matt before and he’s hard-working, knowledgeable and has a way of getting the best out of those around him.
“He has a great backroom team around him and the backing and support of everyone at the club.
“We start with a home game on Saturday and we urge the Moors fans to come along, get behind him and the players, and get a new era off to a winning start.”
Former Moors defender and first team coach Richard Stearman will now act as Taylor’s assistant.
Taylor has also managed League One side Shrewsbury Town and Walsall in League Two.
He took up the manager’s role at Wealdstone in May 2024 and won nine of his 33 matches at the helm.
Taylor departs Wealdstone with the Stones 21st in the National League table.
He enjoyed a long playing career, making over 600 appearances for the likes of Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers, West Ham United and Burnley.
