Manager sacked after Birmingham City defeat

Bristol Rovers have parted company with manager Matt Taylor following their defeat to Birmingham City at the weekend.

Blues defeated the Gas 2-0 at the weekend thanks to goals from Lee Buchanan and Jay Stansfield. The result put Birmingham in the top two whilst Rovers languished in 20th, leaving them just two points above the relegation zone.

The West Country side having suffered three straight defeats have opted to bring Taylor's time at the Memorial Stadium to an early end. He was appointed on a three-and-a-half-year deal having bounced back from his sacking at Rotherham United, but after just six wins in 19 league games this term, he's departed Rovers along with his assistant Wayne Carlisle.

Former Forest Green Rovers head coach David Horseman will take on the interim post along with ex-Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole who only joined Rovers last week. A club statement read: “Bristol Rovers FC can confirm that Manager Matt Taylor and Assistant Manager Wayne Carlisle have been relieved of their first team duties.

“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.

“David Horseman and Lee Cattermole will take interim responsibility for first-team football duties while the Club undertakes a thorough recruitment process for a new first-team manager.”

Birmingham will have a bit of interest as to who Rovers appoint and whether it will be a swift appointment. Bristol Rovers have Wrexham this Saturday (December 21) and there’s just a point separating Birmingham and the Welsh outfit.

The next time Bristol Rovers and Birmingham City will meet is in April, and so whoever Rovers appoint, the manager will have been in charge for several months already.