Peter Taylor today made the sensational admission that he had agreed to replace Rob Newman as Southend United manager last summer.

The former caretaker England boss gave the green light to a second stint in charge at Roots Hall following secret meetings with Blues owner Ron Martin.

Peter Taylor - Southend return was blocked by board

Martin wanted Newman, who was eventually sacked in March, to step down and become the 50-year-old's number two.

But the Shrimpers' board of directors supported an unhappy Newman and blocked the move, paving the way for Taylor to take over at Blues' Third Division rivals and sleeping giants Hull City.

"I wanted to come back as Southend manager last summer," revealed Taylor.

"Ron Martin got on the phone and set up a meeting with me as soon as I had left Brighton, who I had just guided into Division One.

"We met at his house and at a hotel in Kent and I was really excited about coming back to Roots Hall. Ron had originally wanted me to take over eight months earlier when David Webb stepped down, but I decided to go to Brighton at the time.

"It was a hard choice for me as I have got a lot of affection for Southend, who are my home town club. And when this chance came up I was more than happy to give it another go at Roots Hall.

"Ron wanted it to happen, but the whole thing collapsed following pressure from his board of directors."

Taylor took over the Roots Hall hot seat from a Birmingham City bound Barry Fry in December 1993, but was replaced by Steve Thompson 14 months later with Blues struggling in Division One.

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Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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