Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor ( born September 15, 1944 in Worksop, Nottinghamshire ) is a former English footballer and football coach.
The former coach of England is known for his often perceived as unattractive way of playing long balls and quick strikers, but which has often proved to be successful. Taylor is after the end of his coaching career now mainly active as an expert for the BBC.
Playing career
1962 Taylor played his first competitive game for Grimsby Town in Second Division. In 1964 he went to the club from the Third Division, but the association remained faithful. 1968, when the descent into the Fourth Division, it was clear Taylor moved to 189 games and 2 goals to Lincoln City, where he ran aground 150 times and this met once. In 1972 he had to end his career due to a serious injury.
Coaching career
Lincoln City (1971-1977)
Taylor was in 1972 the youngest coach in English league football, when he moved to the dugout at Lincoln City after his injury-related career end. In 1976 he succeeded to the club the victory of the championship in the Fourth Division, as with 32 wins with only 4 defeats with 74 points (system with 2 points per win) a record in English football has been established.
Watford (1977-1987)
Shortly after the singer Elton John had bought his favorite team Watford FC, he strove to Taylor obligation to him for the start of season 1977/78 succeeded. The association, which languished in the Viertklassigkeit to himself managed under Taylor within five years, the rise in the excellence. In the first season in the top flight beyond succeeded as runners-up qualify for the UEFA Cup. However, it was eliminated in the third round. 1984 succeeded in reaching the final of the FA Cup, but had to admit defeat Everton 0-2.
Under the direction of Taylor's talents as Luther Blissett, Ross Jenkins and John Barnes were set up, which should be leading personalities footballer of the 1980s are in England.
Aston Villa (1987-1990)
After ten years at Watford FC Taylor was looking for a new challenge and succumbed to the lure of Absteigers Aston Villa. It succeeded as runners- Second Division stood out the immediate re- ascension in which especially the young David Platt. In the first season succeeded as Tabellensiebzehnter the league. The following year, Tylor led the European champions of 1982 runner-up, which brought him over from Bobby Robson as coach of England, who had resigned after Halbfinalaus against Germany at the World Cup 1990.
England (1990-1993)
Although Taylor led the team to the EURO 1992, but the appearance at the tournament was weak. In particular, the replacement of the striker legend Gary Lineker in his last international game, the 1-2 defeat against Sweden, led to a media campaign against him because the player thus impossible to equalize the Torrekords by Bobby Charlton (49 goals) and thus the possible compensation was made. Also, a documentary that was filmed during the tournament with permission Taylor, let the coach stand in bad light. After the qualification was missed for the world championship in 1994 in the United States, Taylor resigned in November 1993 from his position and was replaced by Terry Venables.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (1994-1995)
In the spring of Taylor by Jack Hayward, who in 1990 bought the Wolverhampton Wanderers, presented as new coach of the club. Hayward had spent the promotion to the Premier League as a great destination. While the collection succeeded him to the finals of the playoffs rise, but the hopes were for naught, as the Bolton Wanderers 2:1 which could outstrip from the first leg 0-2. Taylor resigned from his post in November, as the pressure on his person had become bigger and bigger.
Watford (1996-2001)
Shortly after Elton John had bought the club again, he undertook again Taylor, who was working as a sports director this time. As a coach, first worked Kenny Jackett, who was, however, made for a mid-table in Division 2, the third division to the wizard Taylor, who sat back on the bench. At first attempt managed to rise, as driving out Bristol City in a long duel in 2nd place. In the following season succeeded the victory against Bolton in the Premier League promotion playoffs to, but the company relegation failed and it went back to the second division. 2001 Taylor finished his work and was replaced by Gianluca Vialli, surprisingly, had only recently been released at Chelsea.
Aston Villa (2002-2003)
At the next station, it was back to a return, as Taylor in February 2002, John Gregory inherited. At the end of the season they finished in eighth place. After only just escaped relegation the following season, Taylor decided to abandon his post.
After - coaching career
2003 Taylor was elected deputy chairman of Scunthorpe United, currently playing in the Football League One. Since 2004 he has worked as an expert on BBC Radio Five Live. He is also seen as a coach of a celebrity team in the series The Match on Sky One.
Social Commitment
Taylor is involved as an ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card.