Walsall sack Matt Taylor after seven-match losing run

The Saddlers lost their seventh successive game at bottom-of-the-table Scunthorpe United last night, leaving them just four points above the drop zone.

And now, Taylor has been relieved of his duties after an eight-month spell as head coach.

Taylor's assistant Neil McDonald and first-team coach Mat Sadler have been put in temporary charge.

Walsall chairman Leigh Pomlett said: "After the loss to Scunthorpe, I had a conversation with Matt, and we decided to part company.

"I didn't want to, if I'm honest with you.

"It was a very difficult situation to be in as I have a huge amount of regard for Matt – his integrity, honesty and sheer hard work.

"But he knows, as I know and you know, the fact is we've lost seven games on the bounce.

"At all sorts of levels, that's not acceptable to me, to the club, or to the supporters.

"We've made a change. Matt was great when I told him. He took on the responsibility and accountability for the performance of the team, but the responsibility for everything remains with me.

"But, unfortunately, he's the head coach, and he will be leaving the business with immediate effect."

Taylor was appointed last summer, having left his role as a youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 40-year-old, while struggling to pick up consistent results, had got the Saddlers in with a shout of forging a play-off push at the end of last year.

But a disastrous run in 2022 saw them go into freefall.

Walsall technical director Jamie Fullarton has now been tasked with appointing Taylor's successor.

"In the interim, I've asked Neil McDonald and Mat Sadler to take charge of first-team affairs ready for the Tranmere game on Saturday," said Pomlett.

"That's an interim situation as Jamie Fullarton is working to find the successor to Matthew, and he's well on with that.

"We're cracking on and we'll find the next head coach for Walsall, which will be a very attractive job as it always is. We'll just move on.

"All I ask is you give us the continued support we've had over this very difficult phase – there's no point me hiding from the fact this is difficult.

"We aren't where I wanted us to be, at all.

"After we beat Colchester 3-0 on December 11, I thought we were heading absolutely in the right direction.

"This has come as a real shock and disappointment to me, that we've lost seven games on the bounce."

Pomlett added: "The frustration of the fans is fully understood. I sense it. I share it with you entirely.

"I am frustrated with the performance of our squad on the pitch, but I'm working with the rest of the team here to turn that around – and we will.

"I hate being where we are in the league, and I will work to make sure we turn it around very quickly.

"The good times will come back, of that I'm sure."