Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser has offered a ringing endorsement of Jimmy Mullen’s credentials for the manager’s job, while ruling out appointing a ‘playing legend’ to the hot-seat.
Bonser is confident of having a new man in place by the end of the week and he revealed that it wouldn’t be a big name ex-player, whilst extolling the virtues of caretaker boss Mullen.
“Jimmy Mullen will have the same consideration as anybody else – probably a little bit more because he’s on site and I see him every day and he’s doing a grand job,” Bonser said.
“You’ve only got to see what happened. He joined the club at the beginning of October when we were bottom of the League and we went on a fantastic run to get ourselves in the play-offs.
“That petered out during the last few games of the season, but
“He’s conducted himself very well since Richard left, but the board will employ who we think will be the best person for the job.”
Bonser ruled out the possibility of a ‘legend’ being handed the job.
He said: “Football, particularly this season for some reason, is littered with unsuccessful managers who were almost legends as players and sometimes these big names haven’t got a clue how to manage a club.
“Sometimes that’s not the right way to go because they leave disaster behind them.”
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“Football, particularly this season for some reason, is littered with unsuccessful managers who were almost legends as players and sometimes these big names haven’t got a clue how to manage a club.”
You mean like Paul Merson?
Let’s just get the decision made and get some new players in, otherwise we will be starting the new season on the back foot.
If it is to be Mullen, let’s hope we are singing ‘There’s only one Jimmy Mullen’ by the end of September and not ‘Bonser out’ anymore, please!
Positive passion behind whoever they bring in……that’s the way forward!
Jeff - use some PR experts to make the announcement, they might turn this round for you!
Funny you didn’t seem to think that when you continually backed Merson time and time and time again.
So after considering 30 plus applications for the job, the best candidate just so happens to be the guy who’se already employed by the club and would be the cheapest option? What a coincedence! I’ll give Mullen the support any new manager deserves but it looks like same old Walsall again!
When the departure of Fox and Dann was challenged by JB he said that they were in the team when Straddlers were bottom of the league when we played Oldham. So what Changed? Jimmy Mullen came in and Fox was quoted as saying ‘What a fantastic change he has made’. I always think number ones take the credit and number two’s the work.Good, give him a chance.
lets be honest he,s already got the job, what other club would let so many players leave without a manager saying i need these players but not them. i,ll bet jimmy and jb had a meeting to decide what players they didnt need any more. hence the clear out without a manager at the helm.
As with Steve Mclaren taking over at England, you get no honeymoon period from already disgruntled fans for someone already part of a system that has caused such discontent.
Give JB the freedom of the walsall, that way he’ll be out and about to see how much everyone truely feels for him!!
Do I see bonser slating merson? o_0
I’m afreid Walsall fans do not deserve a decent manager due to the way they moaned about Colin Lee whilst praising Merson.
We didn’t see this one coming did we….. I’m sure Jimmy Mullen is a great coach but as Bonser said good players don’t always make good managers by the same token good coaches don’t always make good managers either ala Steve McLaren, Steve Cotteril!! All the best Jimmy!! Good look in the loan/free market
I think there are still a few “twists and turns” in this tale yet, but what do I know I like
Mr Bonser !
two words
cheapest option
Jimmy Mullen eh? Only Walsall would take on a man who until a few months ago had spent the last decade flogging second hand cars and had a part time stint as Bibs,Balls,Cones collector for a non league club.
One of the best signings RM made for the club was Jimmy Mullen as his number 2. But that is what he should stay, we need a bigger name to attract better quality to the playing side whilst keeping Mullen on to work on the training pitch with them. But you can’t help but read more into this and come to the conclusion that the cheaper option of appointing JM has already been done and the club are just delaying the official announcement so as it looks like more thought has been put into it.
why does bonsor go on the cheap for, time 4 him to go, sum1 elses turn to have a shot on the board. sum1 who nt scared to spend
There is more chance of me getting it than Mullen. We always get nonsense like this just before an appointment is made.
Are you good at waving Pete?
ONE PETE THE SADDLER, THERE’S ONLY ONE PETE THE SADDLER!!!!! You seem very sure?
Peter Taylor is the best option
He has worked well with the England youngsters brought them on and has brilliant contacts in the game so will attract excellent signings and he can call in favours to get some decent loan signings if needed.
He also has media experience so will enhance the profile of Walsall.
with Leicester and possibly Leeds in the same division next year we need a really good high quality manager.
nothing wrong with selling second hand cars!!!!! lol, anyway i agree with the above posts. mullen is a very good coach, but good coaches dont always make good managers, look at sammy lee, went to manage bolton, got sacked and is now goin back to liverpool as a coach, i say we look for someone with proven managerial experience, but then again mullen would be the cheapest option, hence the decision has already been made in my opinion. But whoever is appointed will get my full backing, i just hope were given the chance to kick on from last season. UP THE SADDLERS!!!!!
what about peter taylor ? why am i still posting on here couldnt give two hoots what happens anymore wont be returning till bonser has gone could be in for a long wait me thinks
Jimmy Mullen’s Claret n’ Blue Army!
If Jimmy get’s it then good luck to him, I think my £300 on season ticket will pay his first months wages.
JB is a clown, the sooner he’s on his pony out this town the better.
“Someone who isn’t afraid to spend”? (Quote).
Spend what? We get 5k thru the gates, not 50k. Use your loaf.