Gareth Taylor set his sights on making Manchester City the best women’s team in the world after he was appointed their new manager.
Taylor replaces Nick Cushing, who became assistant manager of New York City FC in February, and said his predecessor had put him forward for the role.
The 47-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal, was manager of City’s Under-18s, winning consecutive Premier League Under-18 Cups, and feels his experience coaching players like Phil Foden equips him for his new job.
“It feels great,” Taylor said. “I am really proud and privileged and excited about the journey going forward. There is a step up and it is one I am ready for.
"We have been successful previously and we want to take it on the next step. We want to be world-leading.”
Taylor said he has been getting advice from Cushing, explaining: “I had a really good relationship with Nick. As soon as he informed he was moving to New York, he asked about the role and if I would be interested. It grew from there.
“Nick has been great. We are real good friends. We have had many conversations. I have to be careful of the time difference and not ring him in the middle of the night.”
City won five trophies under Cushing, including the Women’s Super League, and Taylor aims to take them to another level again after identifying ways they can improve.
He said: “This period has given me a great insight into getting up to speed, watching a lot of games and seeing where there are some instant gains we can make, both on and off the pitch.
“The domestic league is very important. We have won it once and the Champions League is something the club want to progress in. That will be one of the aims.”
The former Wales international helped City win back-to-back promotions as they went from the third flight to the Premier League during his time as a forward at Maine Road and played in the famous 1999 play-off final victory over Gillingham.
Alan Mahon, who had been in temporary charge since Cushing’s departure, will remain as Taylor’s assistant as City wait to discover if they will be crowned champions.
The Women’s Super League was curtailed on Monday with City top of the league but second-place Chelsea having a game in hand.
Taylor left his previous team, whose campaign also came to an abrupt end, 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League Under-18 North table and in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.
“The winning is a big part of it,” he added. “We were looking good in all three competitions before the lockdown came. I was fortunate to be given the Under-18 role and really enjoyed it. I have taken pride from players branching into our first team like Phil and Eric Garcia.”
Taylor has been a coach within the City Football Group since 2011 and reflected on the way the women’s team, who joined the Super League in 2013, have progressed in that time.
He said: “I have been really fortunate to see how the women's team at City has grown.
"When I was Under-16 coach at Platt Lane, they had five or six women's internationals and they were joining in our training sessions. I can only see the women's game going one way.”
Taylor has introduced himself to the City team but was given a joking warning. He said: “There were certain remarks about the full hair of head I had and I said Cush had one six years ago when he went into the job.”
