Walsall FC have appointed Sean O'Driscoll to replace Dean Smith who has taken over at Brentford.
The former Bournemouth, Doncaster and Nottingham Forest boss joins the Saddlers on an initial 18-month contract and will be assisted by Jon Whitney, former City Reserve team keeper Neil Cutler and John Ward, who has been at a number of City matches at differing levels recently.
Walsall Chairman Jeff Bonser said in a statement to his club's website: “We are delighted that Sean has agreed to join us as our new head coach. We believe he is the right man for the job and will maintain the club’s philosophy of producing young players and playing attractive football. He has already experienced success at this level with Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers, and shares the values which lie at the foundation of Walsall Football Club.
"Sean ticks all the boxes in terms of the identity, blueprint and ethos that we work towards. We believe in his ability to advance the football club, enhance our growing reputation as a progressive, forward-thinking organisation and we look forward to working closely with him, in what we hope will be an exciting new chapter at the club.”
Walsall Chairman Jeff Bonser said in a statement to his club's website: “We are delighted that Sean has agreed to join us as our new head coach. We believe he is the right man for the job and will maintain the club’s philosophy of producing young players and playing attractive football. He has already experienced success at this level with Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers, and shares the values which lie at the foundation of Walsall Football Club.
"Sean ticks all the boxes in terms of the identity, blueprint and ethos that we work towards. We believe in his ability to advance the football club, enhance our growing reputation as a progressive, forward-thinking organisation and we look forward to working closely with him, in what we hope will be an exciting new chapter at the club.”