Taylor's ambitions lie in League One with Bradford City rather than Premier League with Newcastle

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew wanted the 58-year-old to become his assistant at St James' Park.

An initial approach was made to the Bantams just after Christmas and the board reluctantly agreed to allow their manager to speak to the Premier League club after agreeing a compensation package.

That left many supporters fearing Taylor's exit was imminent but, as the Yorkshire Post revealed yesterday, he has instead opted to stay with City.

Explaining the thinking behind his decision, the Bradford chief said: "I signed an agreement with the club last summer for a year and I want to honour that.

"I would not have been comfortable to walk out before that contract was finished.

"I know I could have been sacked two or three weeks ago but, even so, I have signed a contract and want to see it through.

"I will admit it wasn't an easy decision to make in the respect that I would not have minded being an assistant.

"I have always said that I may become an assistant some time in my career. This would have been that chance.

"Alan offered me that opportunity and I will always be grateful for that.

"But I want to stay here and finish the job I started.

"It has been a frustrating season so far as I really expected us to have done a lot better than we have.

"But I still believe we can achieve what we set out to achieve in

August.

"The pleasing thing for me is that in the last two games there have been real signs of what sort of side we can be.

"The lads have shown the quality that I knew they were capable of. Last summer, I thought this would be an exciting season and I still believe it can be.

"The challenge now is to keep the run going."

Newcastle's failure to tempt Taylor away from Valley Parade left City joint chairman Mark Lawn delighted.

He said: "No one wants to have to change manager midway through the season.

"Newcastle asked for permission to speak to Peter and it was only right that we gave him the opportunity.

"We didn't want Peter to leave so are delighted that, after speaking to Newcastle and Alan Pardew, he has decided to stay.

"People have asked me if I was disappointed that Peter wanted to speak to Newcastle but I am not. The Premier League is the best league in the world and Newcastle one of the biggest clubs in the country.

"There is nothing wrong in someone wanting to better themselves.

"But I am delighted this is now over. Peter was our manager at the start of the season and we have not changed our minds in that respect.

"We appear to be heading in the right direction. I sense from Peter that he has got the bit between his teeth."