The 47-year-old has led City’s Under-18s for the past three seasons, having previously overseen the Club’s Under-16s.
Taylor succeeds Nick Cushing, who also started his coaching career in City’s Academy before spending six trophy-laden years with Manchester City Women ahead of his recent switch to New York City FC.
A striker during his playing days, the former Wales international boasts almost 650 appearances in all competitions.
Achieving successive promotions during his time at Maine Road, Taylor featured 55 times for City between 1998 and 2001, including the Club’s famous Division Two Play-Off Final win over Gillingham in 1999.
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Hanging up his boots at Wrexham in 2011, he returned to City in a coaching capacity soon after and has remained within the City Football Group ever since, helping to develop the fledgling careers of many young players.
After five years of overseeing the Club’s Under-16s, Taylor made the switch to City’s Under-18s in the summer of 2017 and led the team to successive Premier League U18 Cup victories in 2019 and 2020.
Upon the curtailment of the 2019/20 campaign, Taylor’s team were in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup and also sat 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League U18 North table.
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Following the recent conclusion of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League season, Taylor will start his new role immediately and will be assisted by Alan Mahon who held the reins on a temporary basis earlier this year.
Speaking about his new role, Taylor said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City Women and I’m extremely excited about the challenge ahead with a very talented group of players and staff who have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years.
“I’m really honoured to have been appointed to this role and I can’t wait to get started with our preparations for another thrilling and competitive Barclays FA WSL season in 2020/21.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with some great people within Manchester City and the Club’s Academy so far, but I’m absolutely relishing my new role within City Football Group and I’ll be giving everything I have to continue Manchester City’s success and growth in the women’s game.”
Head of Women’s Football Gavin Makel added: “I’m delighted to welcome Gareth into the role of Manchester City Women’s Head Coach.
“Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to see first-hand the qualities that Gareth possesses. Not only in terms of his abilities as a coach who develops individuals, but also in the way that he leads, whilst exuberating the values and ethos that we hold dear as a Club.
“I am looking forward to working with Gareth as we enter this new era for the women’s team in which I am confident that we can continue to build upon the successes that we have had over the last six years.
“I would also like to add my thanks to Alan Mahon who stepped up in light of Nick’s departure and who continues to be an integral part of our operation.”
