Former England manager, 72, makes shock return to management with seventh tier minnows after two years out
FORMER England boss Peter Taylor has made a stunning return to management with seven-tier minnows Canvey Island.
The 72-year-old had been out of work for two years after being sacked by Maldon & Tiptree.
But Taylor is now back in the beautiful game after penning a deal with non-league Canvey Island.
They play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and finished 17th under former boss Brad Wellmen.
He resigned last month after a four-year stint at the helm.
And Canvey Island fans will be hoping that Taylor’s experience sees them rise up the ranks quickly.
The former winger has been around the block several times and enjoyed a glittering playing career with the likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham.
Taylor, who also played four times for England in 1976, then moved into management with Southend in 1993.
He later enjoyed spells with Gillingham, Leicester and England’s U21s.
But the pinnacle of his career came in November 2000 when he was appointed England caretaker for a 1-0 defeat to Italy.
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Taylor stepped in for fellow interim Howard Wilkinson, himself a short-term replacement for Kevin Keegan.
The game saw David Beckham captain the Three Lions for the first time.
While stars like Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Emile Heskey and Gareth Barry were promoted from the U21s.
But Taylor’s time quickly came to an end when the FA appointed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England’s first-ever foreign coach.
Taylor then spent a while at Brighton, Hull and Crystal Palace while also managing the Young Lions again.
Stevenage Borough, Wycombe Wanderers and Bradford City followed, as well as a spell as boss of Bahrain.
Taylor returned to the England set-up again, this time with the U20s, before taking charge at Gillingham.
He next moved abroad to India with the Kerala Blasters before returning to Gillingham.
Taylor then managed Dagenham & Redbridge and Welling United before being appointed Maldon & Tiptree boss in December 2022.
But he was axed eight months later before Canvey Island finally came calling this week.