Taylor in line to succeed Thordarson at Stoke

Phil Shaw,Alan Nixon
Friday 17 May 2002 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Peter Taylor, who left Leicester on course for relegation from the Premiership and Brighton as Second Division champions, heads the shortlist for the Stoke City manager's job following the sacking of Gudjon Thordarson just four days after he led them to promotion.

Taylor's success on a shoestring with lower-division teams – he also took Gillingham up – has attracted the Potteries club. Stoke reached the First Division via the play-off final last Saturday but are heavily in debt.

Among others Stoke may consider are two ex-players with the club, Steve Bould and Adrian Heath, currently coaching with Arsenal and Sunderland respectively, but keen to work together; John Rudge, the club's director of football and former manager of neighbouring Port Vale; and Steve Cotterill, who enjoyed play-off success with Cheltenham. An appointment is expected by Monday.

Thordarson's two-and-a-half-year reign ended when the chairman, Gunnar Gislason, phoned him 24 hours after Monday's victory parade. He claimed yesterday that his contract was not being renewed next month because the board alleged he would not work within their fin-ancial restraints. "That's just an excuse," he said. "They've never put any budget plan to me."

Thordarson claimed that the decision to dispense with him was not unanimous.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in