While his departure has been somewhat drawn out, first being in talks to take over at Charlton last month and then being in the frame with Crystal Palace for the last fortnight, his appointment as City manager in October 2002 was far more straightforward. Having resigned at Brighton months earlier, he was a free agent when he became the successor to Jan Molby, the day after the Dane got the sack.
When Molby began his six-month spell as manager, it followed over 5 weeks of speculation as to who would replace Brian Little. Ronnie Moore was long thought to be Adam Pearson's favourite after building a reputation at Rotherham. He certainly won't be in the frame this time around; he's been made Tranmere's new manager - ironically, replacing Brian Little at Prenton Park - after being sacked by Oldham.
Ray Graydon was a popular name touted after learning his trade at Walsall. Instead he joined Bristol Rovers a few weeks after Molby's appointment, but lasted just a year and a half in the job, and has not been in work since.
Micky Adams was also on the shortlist, but took the manager's job at Leicester instead. He's now at Coventry.
Steve Coppell, Kevin Ratcliffe, Brian Laws, Steve Cotterill and even ex-Tiger Dean Windass were also speculated about, but were never serious contenders.
The other person considered was Billy Russell. City's youth team coach was in charge during the void between Little and Molby, and is still at the club. Indeed, promoting from within could be an option for Pearson when replacing Taylor, with no names standing out as to who he could bring in from elsewhere. That may depend on if Russell wants to become a fully fledged manager. The rest of City's coaching staff were all brought in by Taylor, and may go with him to Palace instead of being part of the new regime at the KC Stadium. It's unlikely that City will 'do a Middlesbrough' and give the manager's job to a player. Nick Barmby, 32, is the only player over 30 years of age. City's captain Ian Ashbee hits 30 in September, but all the players are still thought to be concentrating on their playing days.