Former Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson says Taunton Town "tickled his fancy" after he was unveiled as their new manager.
Former Bristol City and Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson says his appointment at Taunton Town came about because the job "tickled his fancy".
Johnson became the Southern League Premier South side's new boss on Monday - his 13th managerial stint in a coaching career that spans more than 30 years.
"I had a phone call from one of the new directors and he asked if I would be interested in coming to Taunton," the 70-year-old told BBC Radio Somerset.
"He knew I was not working at the moment. He said he would come around, with Lloyd Irish, the head of football, and have a chat with me.
"We just hit it off with our philosophies and everything. They wanted to build a club, get supporters through the gate, and create a club moving in the right direction. It just tickled my fancy at the time."
The west and south west has long been a successful stomping ground for London-born Johnson, who also spent two years as boss of the Latvia men's national team.
He guided Yeovil Town to the Championship in 2013, having led them into the Football League in his first spell in charge at Huish Park from 2001 to 2005.
That initial stint with the Glovers featured two league triumphs - the Conference crown in 2002-03 and League Two title two years later - as well as winning the FA Trophy in 2001-02.
Johnson led Bristol City to promotion to the Championship in 2006-07 and later won the 2015-16 National League title with Cheltenham Town and the National League South crown at Torquay United in 2019.
"Obviously, it [Taunton] is not too far away from Yeovil, where I spent a long time," added Johnson, who left his most recent job, as director of football at League Two side Cheltenham Town, in September.
"I felt there was a team [at Taunton] ready to move onwards and upwards.
"I'm full-time in my head anyway, even if I'm being paid part-time. I felt it was a good challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it."
His first game as Peacocks manager is on Tuesday night (23 December) at Hungerford Town.
Taunton sit 15th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone after winning only six of their 21 league games this season.
Category: General Sports
