Michael Oakes: I’m happy to be back in Midlands with Walsall
Michael Oakes admits it’s great to be back in the West Midlands after being appointed the new goalkeeping coach at Walsall.
The 44-year-old is the second coach Dean Keates has poached from former club Wrexham this summer – with Andy Davies also leaving the Welsh side to become assistant manager at the Banks’s.
Oakes enjoyed a 16-year playing career which saw him make more than 200 appearances for Wolves and more than 50 for Villa.
And he is now looking forward to bringing success to the Saddlers with the glovesman delighted to be teaming up with Keates and Davies once again.
“It’s fantastic to be here,” Oakes said. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m obviously well-versed in Midlands football.
“It’s a great place so it’s great to be coming back and to work with Dean, who I’ve worked with before.
“I know how dedicated he is and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.
“We had a really good team staff-wise at Wrexham and a fair bit of that has transferred down to Walsall.
“Hopefully we can hit the ground running once the season starts. I’ve played at Walsall many times and it’s a great club. Hopefully, we can take the club forward.”
