Bristol Rovers sack manager Matt Taylor weeks after he was forced to step away due to ‘ongoing family emergency’

BRISTOL ROVERS have sacked manager Matt Taylor following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Birmingham.

Taylor’s assistant, Wayne Carlisle, has also been relieved of his duties amid the staff shake-up.

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Matt Taylor has been sacked by Bristol Rovers[/caption]

Former Sunderland star Lee Cattermole has been announced as one of two interim replacementsGetty - Contributor

A statement from Bristol Rovers on Monday morning read: “Bristol Rovers FC can confirm that Manager Matt Taylor and Assistant Manager Wayne Carlisle have been relieved of their first team duties.

“The Club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Matt and Wayne for all their hard work during their time with Bristol Rovers, and we wish them both every success in their respective future careers.

“David Horseman and Lee Cattermole will take interim responsibility for first-team football duties while the Club undertakes a thorough recruitment process for a new first-team manager.”

Taylor joined Bristol just over one year ago following spells in charge of Rotherham United and Exeter City.

During his time at the club, the 42-year-old took charge of 57 games.

Out of those he won 19, drew seven and suffered 31 defeats.

Bristol Rovers now sit 20th in the League One table following a 2-0 loss to Birmingham at the weekend.

After the match, Taylor admitted he had concerns about the future of his job.

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He told BBC Radio Bristol: “I can’t control that. Whoever is in charge of this football team the same patterns will occur.”

The manager went on to add: “People will say ‘Just kick it and chase it’ but we haven’t got the physicality to do that.

“So in terms of the plan at the start – slightly younger profile, slightly different in terms of using the ball and manipulating the ball – we have to believe they can still improve.

“Confidence is now a big factor and you can’t hide away from it, so you need the ones who will stand up and be counted.

“It’s my team and results haven’t been good enough. There are players coming back but something has to change in our direction.”

Taylor was forced to temporarily step away from the job last month due to a family emergency.

He went on to miss two fixtures before returning.

Former Premier League star Lee Cattermole will take charge on an interim basis following Taylor’s departure, alongside David Horseman.

Cattermole joined the club’s coaching staff just last week.

Upon his arrival, he said: “I am delighted to join the coaching team at Bristol Rovers.

“Having spoken to the guys here and George Friend, I very quickly got excited about the project being developed here at the Club.

“Everything I’ve heard about Bristol Rovers tells me it’s an exciting time to be part of things here, and I’m looking forward to getting going.”