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DESPITE being axed only days earlier by Bahrain, Peter Taylor did not disappoint soccer-loving children he promised a coaching session to, writes Stan Szecowka.
Taylor, wearing his Bahrain kit for the last time, gave passing, shooting and playing tips to the keen youngsters at the British School of Bahrain and staged an impromptu question and answer session afterwards.
This week the Bahrain Football Association named Argentinian Gabriel Calderon, who steered Saudi Arabia into the World Cup Finals in Germany in 2006, as his replacement.
Taylor urged the youngsters to enjoy the game, work hard at school and always try their hardest to get into the first team at whatever level they were playing at.
Taylor also described the work ethic of soccer superstar David Beckham, the player he made captain of England for the first time when he stood in as the national team’s interim coach, who would always stay after formal training to practice his renowned free-kick taking.
Taylor said: "Skill was never an issue in Bahrain but fitness levels and getting to bed early and having a good night’s sleep before playing are just as important."
Taylor said he had held amicable discussions with the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) over settling the severance of his two-year contract, which still had nine months to run.
He plans to leave the kingdom and return to England on December 1 and has been talking with former England boss and close associate Glenn Hoddle in recent days, who he has worked alongside at international level. He is currently running the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain, set up to help young British players return to professional football after being released by their clubs.
BFA officials are hoping former Argentinian international midfielder Calderon will inspire Bahrain after two lacklustre performances in recent friendlies.
A goalless draw against the Philippines at home and a 6-2 thrashing in Dubai against the UAE sealed Taylor’s fate.
Calderon, 52, who has also coached Oman, faces a baptism of fire as Bahrain will be competing in the West Asian Football Federation Championship in Kuwait in December before hosting the Gulf Cup in January.
