Non-league Welling appoint former Hull and Leicester boss Peter Taylor… 21 years after he made David Beckham England captain for the first time during his one match in caretaker charge
- Welling United sit second-bottom in the sixth tier National League South
- They have signed Peter Taylor to ensure they don’t slip lower down the pyramid
- Taylor has 35 years in the dugout, including with England and Leicester City
- The 68-year-old managed a star-packed Three Lions side for one game in 2000
Peter Taylor was preparing an England side for Paolo Maldini, Gianluigi Buffon and Co 21 years ago. Now he must keep Welling United in the sixth tier of English football.
The 68-year-old will bring his 35 years of managerial experience to the 1,000-seater Park View Road ground – worlds away from Juventus’ old Stadio Delle Alpi, the site of Taylor’s single game in charge of the Three Lions.
Welling sit second-bottom of the National League South after manager Steve Lovell quit last week with just four points from six games so far this season.
Peter Taylor has been named the new manager of National League South side Welling United
Taylor took charge of England for one game and gave David Beckham his debut as captain
The Wings have staged a remarkable coup by bringing in Taylor, who has been out of the game since leaving Dagenham and Redbridge in 2019.
‘The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Taylor as the new First Team Manager,’ a club statement said.
‘Peter has had an illustrious football career both as a player and then subsequently as a manager, managing not only in the Premier League with Leicester City as well as various Football League clubs (leading teams to promotion on four separate occasions), but also at international level with the England under 21 team and under-20 team.
‘Peter has taken charge of the first team’s training session today and his first game in charge will be on Saturday away to Oxford City.’
Rio Ferdinand (left) was in action alongside Gareth Southgate for Taylor’s one England game
Gennaro Gattuso scored a stunning winner as Italy beat England 1-0 in the friendly match
Sven-Goran Eriksson watched-on from the stands before taking over the reigns from Taylor
A Gennaro Gattuso screamer led Italy to a 1-0 victory over England when Taylor took charge of the Three Lions ahead of Sven-Gornan Eriksson’s appointment, handing David Beckham the captain’s armband for the first time.
Current England manager Gareth Southgate started the match in defence, attempting to keep out substitute Alessandro Del Piero alongside Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.
Taylor also oversaw spells at Crystal Palace and Leicester, as well as Bahrain, England under-20s, Indian side Kerala Blasters and New Zealand.
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