The task that awaits Taylor

Peter Taylor: Has money to spend and Europe to conquer

Peter Taylor's appointment as the new Leicester City boss comes less than two weeks after Martin O'Neill's departure north of the border to Celtic.

The Midlands club have moved quickly to install a successor to the highly successful O'Neill in order to restore stability at the club.

Speculation has linked a number of The Foxes' star players with moves away from Filbert Street but Taylor's arrival could now bring an end to such headlines.

Certainly the challenge that awaits Taylor would appear to be a pleasant one.

Leicester secured their highest ever points total in the Premiership last season as they finished in eighth position and at the same time they also booked a place in Europe by winning the Worthington Cup.

Tim Flowers: Delighted by appointment

Taylor will also have money available to him in the transfer market following the £11m sale of Emile Heskey to Liverpool and the recent announcement of the club's media partnership with NTL.

Star striker Stan Collymore is also expected to return for pre-season training after recovering from a broken leg.

The likes of Matt Elliott, Neil Lennon and Muzzy Izzet had all been tipped to follow O'Neill out of Filbert Street but Elliott has already poured scorn on such rumours by signing an extended four-year deal.

Goalkeeper Tim Flowers is certainly delighted by Taylor's appointment.

He told the club's official website: "I actually know Peter because I was part of the England senior squad when he was the Under-21 manager.

"I think it is fair to say that every player in the senior squad got on tremendously well with him.

Very entertaining

"He is a funny man, he's got that humour side to him. But he has obviously got the other side to him as well otherwise he wouldn't be able to be a manager.

"Peter took one or two sessions with the senior squad during France '98.

"He was always very entertaining, sometimes an hour would pass before you even knew what you had been doing.

"Sometimes it was light hearted, and sometimes it was a little more serious. But he got that balance right.

"If you look at his record you just cannot argue with it. Tactically, it is quite obvious that he knows the game.

"He has done a terrific job at Gillingham and I think it is a good appointment. I am sure the lads will love him and get on with him straight away."

Leicester City supporters will now be hoping to see more arrivals at Filbert Street than departures.

Four-and-a-half years under O'Neill brought about promotion, two major trophies and Premiership consolidation.

Taylor now faces the task of not only replacing a 'Leicester legend' in the shape of O'Neill, but also taking the club on to even greater achievements.