Gareth Taylor

Bristol Rovers

Born in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, Taylor started his career with Southampton but failed to make any first-team appearances and was released. Second Division Bristol Rovers then signed him in 1991. Throughout the 1991–92 season, he was loaned to Gloucester City, where he played two games without scoring. He made his Football League debut as a centre-back in a 6–1 defeat at Cambridge United in February 1992. He then had another loan spell, this time to Weymouth in 1992–93, where he made five appearances without scoring. He did not play again until the first match of the 1994–95 campaign. By that time, manager John Ward had converted him into a striker. His height meant he was a good target man and was exceptional in the air, scoring twelve goals (most of them headers) in his first full season alongside Marcus Stewart and Paul Miller in attack. His brace against Brentford on the final day ensured a Second Division play-off spot. After a tense away goal victory over Crewe Alexandra in the semi-final, Rovers made it to Wembley, though they lost 2–1 to Huddersfield Town.

Crystal Palace

After four goals in seven games at the start of the following season, he was transferred to Crystal Palace for an initial £750,000 rising to an eventual £1.25 million on 27 September 1995. He failed to make an impact at the London club and only managed 23 appearances and two goals.

Sheffield United

He was soon released by Palace and was signed by…

Taylor is a former Wales international. Born in England, he qualified for the national side through his father, who was born in Wales. After a three-year absence he was recalled to the squad in August 2001 for the final two 2002 World Cup qualifiers. He was utilised as a stand-in for John Hartson, who was troubled with injury. He scored his only international goal in a 4–0 friendly victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.

Manchester City

In September 2011, Taylor was appointed as a coach at his former club Manchester City and was given the task of developing young talent in Dubai. He became the under-16 coach at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2012. He was appointed the head coach of Manchester City Women on 28 May 2020. Lucy Bronze was the biggest name arrival of his first transfer window. On 1 November 2020, he led City to a 3–1 victory over Everton in the 2020 final of the Women's FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. City finished second in the FA Women's Super League at the end of the 2020–21 season, two points behind Chelsea. They reached the FA Cup semi-finals, where they were also beaten by Chelsea. In the 2020 Women's FA Community Shield, they lost to Chelsea, who also eliminated them from the League Cup at the quarter-final stage. City were also beaten in the Champions League quarter-finals, this time losing to Barcelona. Taylor won his second trophy in management on 5 March 2022, finally overcoming Emma Hayes's Chelsea in a final, as City won 3–1 with a brace from Caroline Weir and goal from Ellen White. He said the win was a good response after he received "unjustified" following a poor start to the 2021–22 campaign. City also reached the final of the FA Cup, though were beaten 3–2 by Chelsea after extra time. He was named as Super League Manager of the Month for February 2023 after guiding the team to victories over Leicester City and Arsenal to extend the club's unbeaten run to…

Club

International

Managerial statistics

All competitive games (league, domestic and continental cups) are included.

As of 3 October 2026