Matt Taylor gives his first interview on being named permanent Exeter City boss for a second time, looking ahead to the 2026/27 season.
At the beginning of March 2026, the 44 year old returned to manage the Grecians on a short-term contract until the end of the 2025/26 season.
He took charge of his first match, a 1–1 draw with Burton Albion, saying it was unlikely that he would remain at the club long-term.
But a few weeks after relegation to League Two on the final day of the season, Taylor has signed a new contract.
Of the 13 games he managed for 2025/26, he won 1, drew 5, lost 7, leaving his side 21st, 49 points from 46 games played and 3 points from safety.
✍️ Matt will be a big part of a complete reset across the Club, which will see us very much returning to our ethos, prioritising financial sustainability and supporter ownership powered by our Academy talent 👊
🔗 Full story ➡️ https://t.co/EJGpgjbBUp#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/dDCXoLybL5
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) May 14, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Exeter City Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Taylor as permanent first team manager.
Matt, who managed the Club to promotion from League Two in 2022, has a long history with Exeter City as both player and manager, having first played for the team in 2006.
The appointment follows the assessment of numerous candidates from multiple sources, including applicants from the position being advertised through the League Managers Association (LMA). A select number of potential candidates then progressed to informal discussions towards the end of the season, with Matt selected from this group.
He will be working alongside assistant manager Dan Green, who has also agreed a new contract with the Club. Both men have deep experience of Exeter City Football Club and proven expertise in working with the Academy to bring through young players.
Wilf Walsh, Chair of the Club, said: “A number of criteria were set for the position, particularly around our supporter ownership model and the importance of the need to bring young players through our Academy. After a thorough analysis of the skillsets of a shortlisted number of candidates and several informal discussions, it was very clear that Matt was the most suitable and qualified person for the job.
“He understands every aspect of the Club. 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”.
Wilf added: “Matt will be a big part of a complete reset across the Club, which will see us very much returning to our ethos, prioritising financial sustainability and supporter ownership powered by our Academy talent.”
Matt joined Exeter City as a player in 2006 and made 160 appearances for the Club between then and 2011. He was appointed manager of Exeter City in 2018 and led the Club to promotion to League One in 2022.
Matt said: “Coming back to Exeter reminded me just how special this Club is. 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.
“I’m grateful to the supporters for their backing. Over the 20 years I have been involved with the Club they have time and again proved their loyalty and commitment. We’ll be working to bring the younger players through, supported by more senior members of the squad. We want to have more local players, players who have grown up in the area and truly reflect the fact they are ‘one of our own’. We know our supporters appreciate this aspect of the Club and perhaps are prepared to be more understanding and give them a little more time.”
Matt and Dan will continue to work with the same backroom staff, including fellow assistant manager Kevin Nicholson.
Matt added, giving his reaction to the announcement: “Delighted. Delighted to be back, I’ve not been away for long, certainly post the end of the season. Discussions have been ongoing for a period of time now, it’s important we try to get the football side of it sorted out before any decisions were made.
“I think we’re all aligned in terms of what is next for this football club, I think it’s been well publicised, well documented that there’s a need for a reset, my part to play in that is obviously on the pitch first and foremost and at the training ground, and that’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.
“This club gave me the opportunity, and the opportunity to grow as a player, to develop as a player and become successful. We had four fantastic years, during my time as a player and some fantastic memories.
“And then to leave and come back in a coaching capacity and another opportunity when I came back in the manager’s job. I would’ve liked my return during the first half of this year to go a lot better than it did, we have to acknowledge that and accept responsibility for that, but it’s all about looking forward to what’s next.
“One of the big reasons I came back to this football club was the people, supporters first and foremost but then some people behind the scenes who go a little bit unnoticed, there are some fantastic people who I am looking forward to working with.”
Dan Green on becoming assistant manager: “I’m incredibly excited. I’m always very proud to represent this football club in any role, in any position, and really looking forward to what the future holds within the club.
“I have a real sense of pride, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to represent a city that I’ve grown up in, a city that I can now say my son’s going to grow up in, so it means a lot to me, and I feel a real responsibility to make sure this football club really maximises its potential.
“I’ve spent a huge amount of my career with Matt, I’ve got a huge amount of trust in him, I know the way that he works, the values he has as a person, and the way that he will put everything into this football club in terms of developing players, developing the club as a whole, and in terms of trying to get us back into winning ways on the pitch.”
Here’s the social media reaction after Matt Taylor gives his first interview on being named permanent Exeter boss for a second time…
@FreddieJackMar1: I think I was too quick to judge his return. He knows the club, he knows the ethos, he knows the budget limitation. He’s a club legend. Better than getting someone in who doesn’t know the club. Bring on next season. Matt Taylor’s reds! 🇦🇹🇦🇹 #ecfc
@Clayton44686877: Why? He’s only won one game since he’s been back. Absolutely crazy decision.
@kd_4002: Anyone not happy with this clearly didn’t experience the highs of that promotion season. Great decision. #ecfc
@RyanECFC: Genuinely pleased with this. He isn’t the reason we got relegated, no matter how much some of you try to convince yourselves #ECFC
@col3y130: Perfect man to bring us back again. Done it once before on a budget and youth players, already got Cummins and James playing well, deadwood gone, his team and players, roll on next season. Super matty taylor #ecfc #ECFC
@aviewfromthbank: Underwhelmed considering how his return has gone so far. Wouldn’t have been my choice, however, maybe he is the right choice at this moment in time. Knows the job description and constraints. For MT, gets him back into management with minimal pressure on results and a chance
@TVickers1: It’s clever from both parties. For MT it gets him back into management and a secure job without any pressures of getting sacked. For City, he understands the club, gets the best out of the young lads. Only time will tell if it’s the right appointment.. #ecfc
@Jackvickery_: In the current situation we’re in, pleasantly happy with this. Successful with us in this division before and understands the importance of promoting from the academy which has been so beneficial for us in recent years. Time for the rebuild! #ecfc
@bradtheobald93: Buzzing with this. Taylor and Green know the club inside and out they can build this club up to where it has been in the last 4 seasons. It’ll be a hard road ahead but Matt and co have worked well with the youth before and can do it again. Matt Taylor’s Red And White Army 🔴⚪️
You must be logged in to post a comment Login