By Alan Parry

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Wycombe Wanderers have announced the appointment of Peter Taylor as the club's new manager in succession to Paul Lambert.

The club acted swiftly to replace Lambert, who resigned after the defeat against Stockport County in the League Two promotion play-offs.

Managing director Steve Hayes told wwfc.com: 'I'm absolutely thrilled that Peter has agreed to join us. We're fortunate that a manager of his calibre was available and enthusiastic about taking the job. This helps to dispel the disappointment of missing out on promotion and losing Paul.'

He went on: 'It was important that we moved quickly, but far more important that we got the right man. As soon as we spoke to Peter it was obvious that he shared our thoughts about how the club can move forward.

He has a wealth of experience at all levels from international to non league and he has a reputation for honesty and integrity.'

Chairman Ivor Beeks told us: 'We couldn't have wished for a better appointment. I've heard nothing but good things about Peter and the whole board was unanimous that he was the right man. We had some outstanding candidates apply for the job, but Peter ticked every box.'

Taylor (55) enjoyed an outstanding playing career as a fast and skillful winger at the top level with Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur. He went on to win international caps for England.

He cut his managerial teeth in non league football with Dartford before taking over at his home town club, Southend United. In his time at Roots Hall, Peter soon gained a reputation for being one of the country's outstanding young coaches and was offered the job of managing England's Under 21 team.

Peter enjoyed unprecedented success in his two spells as manager of the nation's finest young talent, qualifying for the finals of the European U21 Championships and winning 20 of his 31 games in charge, suffering only three defeats.

After returning to club management with Gillingham, Peter guided the Kent club to promotion from League One to the Championship for the first time in their history in his first season in charge at Priestfield Stadium.

Peter's success led to him being offered the manager's job at Premier League Leicester City, where he succeeded Blues' legend Martin O'Neill. He guided Leicester to the quarter-finals of the F.A. Cup and was in charge at Filbert Street when they were beaten by Roy Essandoh's famous goal on one of the greatest days in Wycombe's history.

Whilst still boss at Leicester, Peter was appointed caretaker manager of England's senior team for one game against Italy. He made David Beckham England captain for the first time and was unlucky to suffer a 1-0 defeat.

 

After the end of his spell at Filbert Street Taylor was appointed manager of Brighton & Hove Albion, where he led the Seagulls to automatic promotion at the first time of asking.

Peter was regarded as the rising star among young English managers and a move to Hull City brought the next successful chapter in his career. He guided the Humberside club to successive promotions from League Two to The Championship and laid the foundations for their recent glorious achievement of reaching the Premier League for the first time in their history.

His success at Hull led to Peter being offered the manager's job at Crystal Palace where he was a star player in the 1970's. Peter was in charge at Selhurst Park for 16 months and after parting company with Palace in November last year, he was forced to look outside the Football League for his next post under the terms of his severance deal with Palace.

Peter became manager of Conference club Stevenage Borough before resigning two months ago. He was unveiled as Wycombe's new boss at an Adams Park media conference a short time ago.

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