Jose Dominguez wants the Walsall job

Speaking exclusively to the Express & Star, the former Blues and Tottenham winger confirmed he wants the vacancy left by Dean Smith.

The 41-year-old is a free agent after choosing to leave his role as boss of Spanish side Recreativo.

He has previously taken charge of Sporting Lisbon's B side in his native Portugal.

He has helped nurture the talents of players including Spurs' Eric Dier, on-loan Villa defender Tiago Ilori and Galatasaray winger Bruma.

Dominguez said: "I know Walsall and the West Midlands very well and this job is a great opportunity for me.

"My aim is to get back to England because I love the passion and the speed of the game. Walsall would be a great move for me, because it's a team that likes to play football.

"I'm an attacking coach who wants to play with the ball and I want to work with young and talented players who are mobile.

"My philosophy is very similar to the one Walsall have worked so hard to implement under Dean Smith.

"It's England where I want to be. When I was a player at Tottenham and Birmingham I'd collect the ball and the crowd would roar.

"I played in full stadiums in Portugal and Germany but you never get the atmosphere you get in England."

A huge attraction to the Saddlers board will be Dominguez's ability to attract young Portuguese talent.

Dominguez added: "With Sporting Lisbon's 'B' team we finished fourth, I helped nine players develop to the first team and sold others for a combined €28 million.

"I have a fantastic relationship with Sporting Lisbon and I know many young talented players in Portugal and Spain.

"At Lisbon there are often two, three even four fantastic players in the same position.

"When I was at Recreativo I took a number of Lisbon players there on loan with Lisbon paying a large percentage of their wages."