Bristol Rovers appoint Matt Taylor as new manager on three-and-a-half-year deal

Bristol Rovers have announced that Matt Taylor will be their new First-Team Manager as he signs on a three-and-a-half year contract. Taylor had a successful playing career having spells at Exeter City, Charlton Atheltic and Cheltenham Town, before switching to the touchline. The 41-year old had a great spell in the dugout at Exeter achieving promotion from League Two and more recently he managed Rotherham United in the Championship. The former Millers man will take training on Friday and will manage the team on Saturday as the Gas face Crewe Alexandra in the second-round of the FA Cup.

Caretaker boss Andy Mangan is understood to have left his role at the club. Rovers Chairman Hussain Al-Saeed said: "We are delighted today to announce the appointment of Matt Taylor as our First Team Manager. We would like to thank our fans for being patient with us throughout this thorough process whilst we identified the correct person to lead us in this new era for Bristol Rovers. Matt shared our visions of growing the club and has brought into our project. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Matt to the club and wishing him every success." "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Mangan for all of his efforts during his time as Interim Manager. We are confident that he will go on to have a successful career as a football manager and he will always be welcome here."