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 Wednesday, 18 December, 2002, 13:51 GMT
Taylor eyes LTA job
GB Davis Cup captain Roger Taylor with Martin Lee
Taylor (right) has experience as a player and coach

Great Britain's Davis Cup captain Roger Taylor has admitted he would consider succeeding Patrice Hagelauer as performance director at the Lawn Tennis Association.

The LTA has already drawn up an informal shortlist of candidates to take charge of producing world-class players following Hagelauer's decision to return to France.

A successor is expected to be named within three months.

I certainly know what is required at the top end to play Davis Cup and to play well at Wimbledon

Roger Taylor

"I think we need to know more about what's involved, but I'm one of the people trying hard to improve British tennis and naturally I'd consider being involved," Taylor told BBC Sport Online.

The LTA are considering appointing a performance director to concentrate on the coaching end and a director of tennis operations to deal with the bigger picture.

"That sounds like a workable system and, whoever gets these jobs, if the people have the enthusiasm and energy to work hard I'm sure British tennis can go forward," said Taylor.

"I certainly know what is required at the top end to play Davis Cup and to play well at Wimbledon.

"You are looking for a very special type of character - a personality really as much as a talented player.

"It's early days at the moment and I haven't discussed that with anyone at the LTA.

"That might be something for the future but at the moment I've got my mind firmly focused on the Davis Cup tie against Australia in February."

Felgate a frontrunner

Tim Henman's former coach David Felgate, thought to be one of the frontrunners for the post, refused to rule himself out of the post.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's a job that when I first went to work for the LTA many years ago that interested me.

"I'm very happy in what I am doing now and I haven't thought of coaching. I was surprised that Patrice had left - he had set up a good foundation going forward."

But Bob Brett, former coach of Boris Becker and now running an academy in France, appeared to dismiss reports linking him with the position.

"It's an interesting job and a great challenge - but at the moment I have so many other commitments," the Australian told BBC Sport Online.

Hagelauer told BBC Sport Online on Tuesday that he believes the LTA can find his successor without looking abroad.

 WATCH/LISTEN
 ON THIS STORY
 GB Davis Cup captain Roger Taylor
"I'm one of those working hard for British tennis"
 Henman's former coach David Felgate
"Patrice has set up a lot of good foundations"
See also:

17 Dec 02 | Tennis
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