Bristol Rovers sack Taylor after a year in charge

Matt Taylor was appointed at the Memorial Stadium at the end of last year

Bristol Rovers have sacked boss Matt Taylor after their defeat by Birmingham left the club two points above the League One relegation zone.

Taylor, 42, was appointed on 1 December last year on a three-and-a-half year deal and oversaw 10 wins as the club went on to finish 15th last season.

However, Rovers have won only six out of 19 league games this season and the 2-0 defeat by Blues was their third straight loss, leaving them 20th in the table.

Taylor's assistant Wayne Carlisle has also been relieved of his duties, with coaches David Horseman and Lee Cattermole taking interim charge.

The club said they would undertake "a thorough recruitment process for a new first-team manager".

"The club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Matt and Wayne for all their hard work during their time with Bristol Rovers, and we wish them both every success in their respective future careers," a Bristol Rovers statement read.

Rovers won only twice in 10 games in all competitions during August and September to put Taylor under pressure, and he said he had an "honest conversation" with the players regarding the stability of his position, before brief a turnaround in form.

They squeezed past Barnsley in the FA Cup on penalties at the end of November, but lost 2-0 at home to Blackpool and 3-0 away at Leyton Orient either side of it before Saturday's game at Birmingham.

Rovers have won only one league game in their past seven and their goal difference of -11 is the worst in the league, aside from the four sides in the relegation zone.

Matt Taylor is the seventh League One boss to leave their club this season

Asked after the defeat by Birmingham whether he was worried about his job future, Taylor said "yes, but I can't control that".

Taylor previously spent 13 months as manager of Rotherham United and led Exeter City to promotion to the third tier in 2021-22.

He was appointed at the Memorial Ground following the departure of former boss Joey Barton and a few months after Kuwaiti businessman Hussain AlSaeed purchased a majority stake in the club.

In November it was announced that AlSaeed is to acquire the remaining 45% ownership of the club from Wael and Samer al Qadi over the next 18 months.

Days before Taylor's departure, former Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder Cattermole was brought onto Rovers' coaching staff.

Taylor said it had been a "club appointment" and that the duo had not met prior to his first day.

Lack of goals an issue for Taylor - analysis

Richard Hoskin – BBC Radio Bristol sports editor

In the end it was a question of when, and not if, Rovers would part company with Matt Taylor.

A manager who's been a pleasure to deal with since his appointment last year has struggled to win over the fan base.

Rovers made 16 summer signings – but many have failed to find form or fitness.

A lack of goals – Jamie Lindsay and Scott Sinclair are top goalscorers with just three goals each – has seen Rovers drop dangerously close to the relegation zone.

It is fair to assume the "club appointment" of Lee Cattermole last week undermined the manager.

Now there's a lot of work to do on and off the pitch as Rovers head into the New Year.