Matt Taylor speaks in his first interview on returning to Exeter City as their manager until the end of the 2025/26 season.
He will be in the dugout tonight for the League One fixture against Burton, with the Grecians sitting 15th with 41 points after 33 games played, 5 points above the drop zone, and 11 away from the playoff places.
The 44 year old previously managed from 2018 to 2022, where he achieved promotion to the third tier in 2022 after winning the League Two title, finishing 2nd.
It was in October 2022 he left the club, to join Rotherham United after permission was granted, leaving Exeter.
He then wen ton to manage Rotherham United Championship safety to conclude the 2022/23 campaign, but was sacked in November 2023, with the club sitting in 22nd position.[43]
Then he went to League One club Bristol Rovers in December 2023, then on the 16th of December 2024, a 2–0 defeat to Birmingham City left his side 20th, leading to Taylor being sacked.
Welcome back, MT 🤝
We are delighted to announce the return of Matt Taylor as First Team Manager until the end of the season 👊#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/1wcx7KsSoq
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) March 3, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Exeter City Football Club is pleased to announce the return of Matt Taylor to St James Park as First Team Manager until the end of the season.
He takes on the role from Dan Green, who took interim charge following the departure of Gary Caldwell on February 16. The appointment has been made by the Club Board and in consultation with the football management team.
Laurence Overend, interim club board chair, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt back to the Club. He is someone who knows Exeter City exceptionally well and understands the Club’s culture, values and ambitions, as well as the realities of the league and our model.
“Matt worked closely with Dan and Kevin Nicholson during his previous stint as manager and it was felt by the Club board that as well as bringing experience and expertise, his appointment will minimise the amount of upheaval and change for the squad, giving the players the confidence to finish the season positively.”
Laurence added: “The Club and Trust boards would like to put on record their thanks to both Dan and Kevin for their continued commitment and support to our Club.”
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. He will take the helm for Tuesday’s match against Burton Albion and will be supported by assistant coaches Dan Green and Kevin Nicholson.
Matt said: “I’m extremely pleased to return to Exeter City. This Club and its supporters have always held a special place in my heart, and it is somewhere where I spent 10 amazing years, first as a player and then as manager.
“The supporters are like no other, and I’m looking forward to getting to know our players and staff and leading the team as we step out onto the pitch at St James Park tonight for the match against Burton Albion.”
He said in his interview: “It feels incredible to be back and even more incredible to come back to this fantastic facility. I know it was in the plans and started to be built when I finished my time here, but to see it in a working capacity is incredible – it was a little emotional this morning to see what the club have produced and it’s testament to so many people doing hard work and making sacrifices and now being able to deliver such a fantastic environment for the players that represents the club and academy so well is incredible.”
On how the move came about, Matt said:
“I’ve got friends here in the coaching department and across the board and we’ve spoken during the season and then over the last couple of weeks they have leant on me for some advice and a bit of knowledge and experience and then towards the back end of last week I got a phone call asking the question ‘would I take the interim position until the end of the season?’ and help out and support and guide and give the players a bit of direction. Dan and Kev have done a fantastic job during a real period of uncertainty and have lead the team well.
Speaking about why he took on the challenge, Matt added: “I care deeply about this club and gave over ten years in various capacities and I’ve always given my all and I want to do that for the next two months and I’ll need the players and staff to support me, but most importantly we need the supporters.
“We are going through a critical period in terms of the games we have got – everybody knows where we are at with bodies and injuries – but this is something where we need to get the supporters behind us and for them to turn up in numbers and in good voice with a lot of positivity and energy.”
Exeter’s interim manager apologises after 5-1 defeat to Bolton makes it winless in 7 games
Here’s how fans reacted after Matt Taylor speaks on returning to Exeter City as their manager until the end of the season…
@BenECFC1904: MT returns in a similar position to GC when he first joined – his most recent successes are some time ago and he’ll be looking at this as an opportunity to get his career back on track. Hopefully a boost to fans and the club alike – welcome back Matty T! #ECFC
@__IrufcI__: How do you lose a manager, get compo then upgrade for free
@Ecfc_Brett: Know the club & its expectations, great decision all round 👏 #ecfc
@Jackvickery_: Top appointment. Don’t look much into the spells with Rotherham and Bristol Rovers as both clubs are in absolute free fall. Did unbelievable to keep Rotherham up at one stage in the Championship. Successful manager with us, just what we need at this time. Love it. #ecfc
@TVickers1: No brainer, knows the club inside out and the club understands how Matt works. Great appointment from the club, reunited with Dan again which will give him huge amounts of confidence to then possibly take the reins next season. SJP will be rocking tonight! #ecfc
@rufc__cal: all the best matt 👏👏
@sumsECFC: Delighted with this, welcome back MT.
@craigybratt: The right (and only) decision to make 👏 Go well, MT ❤️ #ECFC
@23ecfc: I think it was so important so move on fully from Caldwell, and head into the new era. This appointment allows us to move forward. #ECFC
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