'Be patient' pleads Taylor

Peter Taylor has the backing of chairman John Elsom

New Leicester City manager Peter Taylor has told fans not to expect miracles at the start of next season.

"The supporters have got to be patient," said the former Gillingham and England under-21 boss.

"Gillingham never won in their first six games, yet in the end we were promoted."

Taylor, who has signed a three-year contract, has a tough job emulating the success Martin O'Neill achieved at Filbert Street.

While O'Neill was in charge, the Foxes won the League Cup twice and have finished in the top 10 for the last four seasons.

But Taylor is confident he can keep the good times rolling.

"I would love to have some success here like Martin and I promise I will work as hard as I can," he said.

I saw Leicester play a few times last season and you could tell their players fight for each other

Peter Taylor

"I saw Leicester play a few times last season and you could tell their players fight for each other.

"There are strong characters in the squad and they have a good team spirit.

"I like that, for it's something we have at Gillingham."

Taylor has carved out a formidable reputation in the past four years after an unsuccessful start to his managerial career at Southend.

He enjoyed an impressive spell as England under-21 manager before leading Gillingham to the First Division via the play-offs last month.

Izzet: will he stay?

Now he is in charge of a Premier League club, with a multi-million pound transfer kitty at his disposal.

"A couple of weeks ago I had drawn up a First Division list of players," he said.

"Now I'll have to make a Premiership list and add a nought to the end of the figures."

Taylor's first task will be to convince Muzzy Izzet and Neil Lennon to stay put.

Both players have been linked with a move to Celtic following O'Neill's move north of the border.