The former England manager emerged as Kevin McCabe's preferred choice for the role when United's plc chairman announced his intention to overhaul the club's coaching infrastructure earlier this year.

But despite admitting he was "flattered" to be considered for the post, Taylor told The Star that a combination of professional and personal commitments had persuaded him to withdraw his candidacy.

"I want Sheffield United supporters to know that it's nothing personal," he said.

"It was something that I was very interested in when Kevin first approached me but, having discussed the matter at length with my wife, we've come to the conclusion that it is best for both parties if I don't proceed.

"I started in management very early because of injury and since then I've discovered there is a life outside of football. I still do a lot of work in the game but I've also got many interests outside of it too which aren't reported.

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"If I had've taken the job at United then I would have committed to it totally but that would have meant that I would have had to give those other things up and there would have been no going back to them.

"Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned but I don't think I could have taken the job and continued to live in Birmingham.

"Kevin would've probably said it was okay but I feel that if you're at a club you have to be a part of the community.

"I'm flattered to have been considered and it's a wonderful job at a wonderful football club.

"But if I can't commit totally I think this is the best thing for both of us. I wish United all the best for the future though."

United manager Kevin Blackwell, whose assistant Sam Ellis worked with Taylor at Lincoln and Watford, expects the futures of David Cotterill and Lee Martin to become clearer next week once the Premiership season draws to a close.

Cotterill and Martin, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Bramall Lane, have since returned to Wigan and Manchester United respectively.

Geoff Horsfield and Paul Gerrard will be allowed to leave United when their contracts expire this summer.

Youngsters James Ashmore, Martin Donnelly, Stephen Hernandez, Lloyd Kerry and Dean Oliver are being released while Adam Chapman and Kyle Walker have been offered professional terms.

Ryan Cresswell and Liban Abdi have signed one year extensions to their present deals.
Goran Slavkovski will return to Internazionale after failing to make a first team start.

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