Leigh Pomlett: Brian Dutton sacking with a 'heavy heart' but Walsall's league finish 'unacceptable'

Dutton finished his 20 games in charge on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at Carlisle and only managed three wins during his time in charge – and as a result he was relived of his duties today.

Pomlett has always been an admirer of Dutton and believes he will go on to be a successful coach, but felt his position was untenable after the club's poor finish to the season.

"Chairmen often say 'I made that decision with a heavy heart' and I'm never absolutely convinced they always mean it," Pomlett said.

"On this particular occasion I can assure you I do, because Brian stepped up to the plate when he didn't need to when Darrell left.

"He pretty much achieved a lot of the things I wanted him to achieve, particularly with the young players coming through. With the way he dealt with the players, with the courage he showed and the resilience he showed.

"A lot of the qualities I looks for in human beings that are part of this football club, Brian Dutton has got.

"I also made it clear when I appointed Brian, and he knows this as well as anybody, that winning football matches is what head coaches have to do. Not through lack of effort or application, which has absolutely been there.

"We finished 19th in League Two, which by any stretch of the imagination is unacceptable. It's unacceptable to me and I know the supporters are not happy with the performance this year.

"19th in League Two is not good enough and that's the bottom line really. It's not where we should be and it's not acceptable. We have to move on.

"Brian did all that he could possibly do, I have nothing but praise for him and I wish him all the best wherever he goes.

"I suspect one day he might surface as quite a force and I certainly hope that he does. We all owe him a debt of gratitude."

Technical director Jamie Fullarton has now been tasked with finding the next Saddlers boss and Pomlett is determined to find the right candidate sooner rather than later.

He added: "We are now searching for a new head coach and I intend to make that appointment as quickly as I possibly can because we'll have to refresh everything about the first team squad this year.

"I need someone to come in and hit the ground running working with Jamie Fullarton.

"I've tasked Jamie with going out and finding the next head coach, which he will start doing immediately. I want to move as quickly as I can."