Shrewsbury Town are delighted to confirm the appointment of Matt Taylor as our new head coach.
The 41-year-old joins us following an extensive recruitment process led by our director of football, Micky Moore.
Matt enjoyed a glittering playing career that saw him make more than 300 appearances in the Premier League during spells with Portsmouth, Bolton, West Ham and Burnley.
He also enjoyed successful stints in the EFL with Luton, Northampton and Swindon.
A UEFA Pro License coach, Matt began his journey into management while still a player with the former wing-back spending time with Luton's under-16s while he was playing for West Ham.
After hanging up his boots, he enjoyed two years working in the coaching set-up at Tottenham before joining Walsall as head coach in 2021.
"I’m delighted," Matt said when asked how it feels to be our head coach.
“I think when you come to the stadium, when you look at the infrastructure behind the football club – there is nothing (I feel) other than a burning desire and excitement.
“I’m very aware the football club has a successful playing style – something that has worked when you look at the finish last season. I think it was the second-highest finish for 34 years.
“So there is a lot that is going right at the football club. So, what do I want to bring?
“I hope to allow the players to really express themselves. There are some exceptional footballers here and part of my role is to give them a platform and a structure so they can go and express themselves and entertain our loyal supporters.
“If I look back at my career and what made me successful – it was hard work and energy.
“The things that are non-negotiable for me will be that the players have to give everything whenever they put the shirt on. That’s the least the fans deserve.
“I think you accept mistakes as a football fan, I do when I watch it.
“But what is imperative is that every time a player goes onto the pitch wearing a Shrewsbury Town shirt – they have to go and give everything they have got. That is a minimum requirement and I’m sure the players will do that.
“I think what’s important now is that everyone understands just how hungry I am for this opportunity.
"I am also very grateful to be given this opportunity at such a wonderful football club.
“Micky and I want an environment where we create players who can receive the ball under pressure, who are able to twist and turn, but also understand that it’s all under-pinned by what you do out of possession."
Director of football Micky Moore added: "We went through a thorough process. I said right at the beginning that I needed time.
"I met quite a few candidates for a coffee, had a lot of telephone conversations with people, and obviously then brought the number down to be interviewed.
"We interviewed five and then we got down to the last two and Matt fit the criteria we set out right at the very beginning.
"I think from the moment I walked in, from what I've said I said our head coach will look like, Matty fitted that script and I'm very excited to have him on board."
