The National - Arab Emirates

The National Staff

• Last Updated: September 18. 2009 7:06PM UAE / September 18. 2009 3:06PM GMT

Jason Taylor, the former coach of South Sydney who was sacked for his part in a brawl which followed a drinking session, believes he still has the support of at least “90 per cent” of his former players.

Taylor was dismissed after he was felled by a punch from the Souths forward David Fa’alogo, whose contract was also terminated, at the club’s end-of-season celebration a fortnight ago.

He has been replaced by the veteran former Australia coach John Lang, but Taylor claims his former charges want him reinstated in time for the 2010 campaign.

“Right now the relationship I have with these players is as strong as any relationship I have had with the team in my life,” Taylor told Sydney radio. “I had overwhelming strong support from pretty much every player.

“Right now I just feel great about where I’ve finished with those players, how they think about me and how I think about them.”