Walsall head coach search, shortlist links and timeline as appointment ‘not too far away’ | OneFootball

Walsall have yet to appoint a permanent successor to Mat Sadler, leaving next season’s planning on hold.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the recruitment process is ongoing. Sadler was sacked in March after two wins from 14. The gap to the play-offs was three points then and finished at 13.

Former Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant has been linked and was said to be shortlisted. He departed in January after eight months with a 41.7 per cent win rate, the Terriers sitting sixth at the time.

South Shields manager Ian Watson has also been mentioned, though chairman Geoff Thompson has twice dismissed the idea on social media. Boreham Wood’s long-time boss Luke Garrard signed a new deal on Monday.

Interim head coach Darren Byfield oversaw the final 10 matches, starting with a five-game unbeaten run before four defeats in the last five. He said after the season that he was unsure about his future.

Head of football Stewart Mairs said last week the search was progressing, describing an intense and thorough process and suggesting an appointment was not too far away. With 12 players released, the incoming head coach faces an early rebuild.

Byfield suggested before the final game that more would be known within a week, but that window has passed without a public update. If the wait drags beyond the end of May, patience may fray as summer recruitment and pre-season planning loom.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com