I’m a former England manager now in charge of a team in Isthmian League North – and one of my players drives a tractor
FORMER England manager Peter Taylor has swapped international football for the Isthmian League and is now in charge of Essex-based club Maldon and Tiptree.
Taylor, who managed England for one match in November 2000, was appointed Maldon and Tiptree boss at the end of last year.
He has since guided the Jammers to 14th in the Isthmian League North table – 14 points clear of the relegation zone.
And although his new role is a far cry from the national team set-up, the 70-year-old recently insisted that he has “loved” the experience so far.
He told Sky Sports: “I had a text the other day from one of my players who has a bit of a hamstring injury.
“He said it wasn’t getting better and he really feels it when he gets in and out of his tractor!
“I turned to my wife and said: ‘Pep Guardiola doesn’t have these kinds of problems!’ I couldn’t stop laughing. That’s the difference.”
Taylor has managed 24 different teams throughout his career, including the likes of Crystal Palace, Brighton and Leicester.
But he is arguably best known for his very small stint as England boss.
The former Tottenham star was appointed caretaker manager in November 2000 ahead of the Three Lions’ clash with Italy.
Prior to the game he handed David Beckham the captain’s armband for the first time and introduced several young stars to the squad, including Jamie Carragher, Gareth Barry and Rio Ferdinand.
England lost the game 1-0 and Sven-Goran Erikssonn was appointed permanent manager seven months later.