Full Dean Smith interview: Why I had to leave Walsall

After almost five years in charge at the Banks's Stadium, Smith was confirmed as the Bees' new manager on Monday.

The 44-year-old leaves behind a Saddlers side flying high in League One and who secured a 3-1 victory at rivals Shrewsbury on Tuesday to kick-start life without their popular boss.

But while Smith now has a shot at guiding Brentford to the Premier League, he described leaving Walsall as 'incredibly tough'.

"To leave was extremely hard – it was a very difficult decision to make," he said. "I had to sit down with the family and make the toughest decision of my career.

"I was at Walsall for six-and-a-half years – first as head of youth and then as manager, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

"I enjoyed all the ups and all the downs because it is a wonderful club to work for.

"I'm based in the Midlands. My mum and dad live there and my dad has got dementia. My daughter goes to school there. My boy is at the football club, so all those things came into play.

"Brentford had to tick an awful lot of boxes for me to even consider it. But the lure of coming and having the chance to manage in the Championship and hopefully the Premier League was too big to turn down.

"I hope Walsall fans can understand that."

Smith had a personal message to all Saddlers supporters, who he describes as 'outstanding'.

"To all the fans I say I hope you can appreciate the opportunity I have been given," he said.

"I always said it was an improbable dream getting Walsall to the Championship because only a few other managers have done it. The impossible dream was getting to the Premier League. But Brentford is a club where it is possible to get to the Premier League.

"I really hope all the Walsall fans are pleased with what has been left behind. I think back to when I first took over and how we have progressed as a football club.

"The job that is now available there is a great job for someone. They will go into an unbelievable club, with an unbelievable culture.

"It is filled with good people and is a club on the up.

"But I want to say a huge thank-you to the fans. The amount of good will messages my family and I have had has made it all worthwhile."

The former centre-back confirmed he said an emotional goodbye to Walsall's players and staff on Monday.

"It was very emotional," Smith continued. "The staff and the players mean an awful lot to me.

"We have been through some great times and some indifferent times.

"And there wasn't anybody cheering more than me when they beat Shrewsbury on Tuesday night.

"That result was something I expected to be honest. That is what we have tried to develop, players that can handle the situations that occur."

Smith believes whoever takes over the managerial reigns will continue to get the best out of the players he brought to the club.

"We didn't bring those players in to play for me," the boss said.

"We brought them in because of their behaviour and personalities.

"They play for each other and they play for the supporters and the football club.

"That is why we brought them in and that is why I am sure they will continue their success this season."

Despite his departure, Smith is adamant Walsall still have a great chance of winning promotion.

"Of course Walsall can still go up," Smith added defiantly.

"You only have to look at the performance against Shrewsbury to see that. I take great pride in seeing what is left there and what that squad can go on and achieve.

"I certainly hope they do go on and do it, there would be nobody more happy than me to see Walsall in the Championship."