Next Walsall boss: Who are the runners and riders?
Martin O’Connor has been placed in charge of Walsall until the end of the season following the sacking of Dean Keates.
If he keeps the Saddlers up, he will surely become a candidate to get the job on a full-time basis.
Here, Joseph Masi looks at some other runners and riders who may be in contention to land the top job at the Banks’s Stadium.
Paul Hurst
Forget what happened at Ipswich, Hurst is the outstanding candidate on paper.
Shrewsbury were as good as relegated when he replaced Micky Mellon at Walsall’s rivals. But Hurst didn’t just keep them up, he transformed the side into one which pushed Blackburn and Wigan all the way in the race for automatic promotion.
The former Grimsby boss also knows the non-league scene well, a market Walsall are likely to try and exploit once again. With a host of clubs in League One potentially on the lookout for managers though, he is likely to have his pick of jobs in the summer.
Current odds: 4/1
Darrell Clarke
Clarke enjoyed four successful years at Bristol Rovers where he won back-to-back promotions from the National League into League One. He went on to establish the club in English football’s third tier.
But this season the Gas struggled and Clarke left the Memorial Stadium. Undoubtedly a talented and forward thinking coach, you’d imagine he’ll come back stronger from his struggles this year.
Current odds: 8/1
Chris Powell
The 49-year-old guided Charlton to the League One title in 2012 and secured a ninth place finish in the Championship the following year.
Currently, the favourite for the job with bookmakers, Powell was sacked by Southend just last month. But his dismissal was unlucky with the Shrimpers’ having been blighted by injuries all season.
Current odds: 7/2
Keith Downing
A man who the Express & Star understands was on Walsall’s radar when Dean Smith left, Downing is currently the manager of England under-19s.
The former Wolves midfielder guided his young Three Lions to success at the UEFA European Under-19 Championships in 2017.
His current role would be a tough one to leave. But if Walsall want to get back to a policy of developing young players, Downing could be a shrewd appointment.
Current odds: 10/1
Keith Hill
An intriguing option, Hill looks tailor made for the Walsall job.
The 49-year-old knows exactly what it takes to operate on a low budget in League One having been in the same position at Rochdale. He also plays football that is pleasing on the eye.
His ability to spot a bargain and then get the best out of them is something that cannot be ignored.
Current odds: 20/1
David Kelly
Following the departure of Keates, David Kelly’s name immediately popped up on the Walsall rumour mill.
A prolific striker in his day, Kelly smashed in the goals for the Saddlers between 1983 and 1988. He was at one stage the bookies favourite to replace Dean Smith when he left for Brentford.
But despite enjoying cult status as a player, Kelly sparked controversy in February 2013 when he left his role as Walsall assistant manager after just nine days to join Nottingham Forest.
Current odds: 22/1
Adrian Viveash
Another intriguing candidate on paper, the former Saddlers captain is now a coach who enjoys a glowing reputation in the game.
Viveash is currently assistant manager at Coventry, but it is his work at Chelsea that will excite Walsall fans the most.
The 49-year-old won two FA Youth Cups and two UEFA Youth Leagues in his time in London. He also developed players Chelsea went on to sell for millions.
Current odds: Unlisted
Dean Holden
Continuing the theme of former Saddlers favourites, Holden is currently assistant manager at Bristol City.
The 39-year-old is understood to have played a major role in the Robins’ becoming a force in the Championship.
If Walsall want to recreate the atmosphere first established at the club under Dean Smith, Holden could be their man.
Current odds: Unlisted
