ROTHERHAM United manager Matt Taylor has given “full credit” to new Saints boss Nathan Jones for earning a Premier League chance “the right way”.

The two coaches crossed paths in 2012 when Taylor was a player at Charlton and Jones was just starting his career as an under-21s development coach at the Valley.

Taylor himself moved upwards just last month after stellar work with Exeter City afforded him the role at the Yorkshire- based Championship side.

Jones left his role at Luton Town in the second division for Saints last week following Ralph Hasenhuttl’s sacking, having managed across the EFL pyramid.

Taylor has claimed it is “great” for another British manager to be given a big job after impressing in the lower leagues.

Daily Echo:

"It’s great to see British managers who have learnt their trade in the Championship getting their opportunity at the top level,” said Taylor, in the Yorkshire Post.

"I know Nathan well from our days together at Charlton. He’s someone who’s done it the right way, he’s earned his stripes and worked through the football pyramid from Under-21s to senior level.

"He's got teams promoted and had success and has done a consistent job. Full credit to him and we wish him all the best.”

Jones’s appointment was met with initial surprise from some supporters in Southampton after an unsuccessful spell with Stoke City lasted just 10 months in 2019.

In that time, the Welshman stewarded the side to only five wins from 35 league matches, but he has since rejoined and guided Luton Town to the playoffs.

"He had that period at Stoke where it didn’t quite work out and I’m sure he’ll have learnt a lot from that,” added Taylor.

"Sometimes you have to go through that as a manager, the difficult times help you learn more about yourself.

"It’s good that he’s been recognised and it’s as the way football should be. It doesn’t happen often enough.

"There are various trends that continue to happen, getting the fashionable German or Spanish coach, an Italian or a Dutchman.

"They don’t always work and you need to get rewarded for consistent performances as a player or as a manager, and Nathan has done that.” 

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