Mullen: I’m the right man

Walsall caretaker boss Jimmy Mullen believes he has the right credentials to fill the manager’s role full time.

Mullen has been in charge since Richard Money resigned last week and, ahead of what could be his final game in the hotseat against Hartlepool tomorrow, the former Burnley boss insisted he believes he is as qualified as anyone to take over on a permanent basis.

“It’s common knowledge now that I am in the situation where I’ve thrown my hat in the ring,” Mullen said.

“I’ve got the experience and the knowledge. I’ve been there and done it before and for me it’s a case of I don’t care who’s out there, I still feel that I’ve got the right credentials to be up there with whoever the club wants to talk to for the position of manager.” The 55-year-old was instrumental in Saddlers’ transformation from strugglers to contenders this season and he revealed that even if he doesn’t get the top job, he would like to stay on at the club in another capacity.

“I’ve loved every minute of working for this football club and that hasn’t changed,” Mullen said.

“I still love working at this football club and whatever happens in the future will take care of itself.

“But I’d like to think that what I’ve done in the six or seven months I’ve been here is enough to convince the powers that be that I have a future here.”

Mullen was unable to shed any further light on the issue of new contracts for the dozen players whose deals expire this summer and who are currently playing a waiting game to be advised whether their services will be required next season.

“I’m in a situation where I was asked last week to take over the reins in a caretaker capacity and I’ve done that,” he said.

“And when it comes down to dealing with players contracts, I think it’s only fair that it’s left to whoever is the new manager to deal with that.”