James O’Connor hails Ryan Simmonds as a great addition for Walsall | OneFootball

Former Walsall defender James O’Connor has backed Ryan Simmonds to make a strong impact at the club as he remains with the first-team next season.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the 34-year-old will join new head coach Lee Grant’s backroom staff. Simmonds joined the Saddlers as professional development phase coach in 2023, then moved up to the senior set-up under interim head coach Darren Byfield last term.

O’Connor worked with him at Kidderminster Harriers between 2019 and 2020, when Simmonds had his first taste of senior coaching as support coach to Neil McFarlane. O’Connor said he was inexperienced but took to the role quickly, helping players progress.

O’Connor highlighted his player development skills and on-pitch coaching, and said he thinks Simmonds is a great addition to the team.

He began as Kidderminster under-19s assistant, later assisted the first team under several managers, then held academy roles at Coventry City, Stratford Town and MK Dons before joining Walsall in April 2023.

Simmonds came through the ranks at Aston Villa and had a spell with Brighton before moving into coaching. O’Connor believes those experiences, including not quite making the grade, will help him become a really good coach at both academy and senior level.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com