Ex-Walsall head coach Mat Sadler seals new job in Belgium | OneFootball

Ex-Walsall head coach Mat Sadler has joined Belgian side Lommel SK as assistant to Lee Johnson on a one-year deal, effective immediately. According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 41-year-old has been added to the club’s technical staff.

Sadler spent over two-and-a-half years at Bescot and was dismissed in March after a run of two wins in his final 14 league matches. He had served three years on the Walsall coaching staff before replacing Michael Flynn in May 2023.

Walsall finished 11th in his debut season in 2023-24. The following campaign, his side built a 12-point lead at the League Two summit and set a club record of nine consecutive league wins.

They also reached the League Cup third round in 2024, their first appearance at that stage in nine years.

Results tailed off later in the season and Walsall finished 13th under Sadler and, after his departure, interim head coach Darren Byfield.

In total, Sadler oversaw 161 matches, posting a 41.6 per cent win rate with 67 wins, 42 draws and 52 defeats. He was the club’s longest-serving boss since Dean Smith.

Lommel are owned by the City Football Group and returned to the Belgian top flight last season via the play-offs after a 23-year absence. This is the first time Sadler has worked abroad.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com