Caretaker boss John Schofield has been installed as favourite to land the Walsall manager’s job on a permanent basis.
Schofield has been placed in temporary charge following Jimmy Mullen’s sacking on Saturday, after a run of just four wins in the last 16 games.
The former Lincoln boss joined Saddlers as Mullen’s number two in the summer and is due to look after team affairs for Saturday’s trip to Peterborough United.
But former Banks’s Stadium player Steve Staunton and former Wolves number two John Ward have also emerged as early contenders.
Bookmaker Victor Chandler also has former bosses Ray Graydon and Richard Money priced 10/1 to return.
Rhys Weston summed up the mood in the camp with the shock of the sacking of Mullen, but believes they always gave their all for him.
Their game with Brighton on Saturday was called off at 10am and within two hours Mullen was sacked, leaving the squad stunned.
Weston said: “It is surprising and the timing of it seems strange, but the club have made their decision and they have their reasons. It was a surprise, but that is football. You don’t often see what is coming around the corner.
“We found out the game was off and it was a case of ‘see you Monday’.”
Mullen paid the price for poor form but Weston, who was made captain in Mullen’s last game in charge at Tranmere two weeks ago, insists the players gave everything for their former boss.
He said: “This season we have not done as well as we could have, but it is not through lack of endeavour. We have always given 100 per cent, whoever we played. In black and white we have not done as well as we would like to, but we are still comfortably in mid-table.”
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12 Comments
I don’t think appointing Schofield would be the way to get the fans back. Presumably as first team coach, he has been coaching the players in the fine art of hoof ball.
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pls god not Staunton, go and get ince , someone with a bit of drive and a point to prove
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Shock Horror!
Let’s all just go and watch a local non league club until Bonser goes, at least they appreciate the money and will make an effort.
Perhaps Mullen asked for some money and got the sack, all very strange
I would rather the saddlers play in the Unibond than this bloke keep stringing the supporters, players, staff along.
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I’d love to see Incey down at Walsall, but I don’t hold out much hope….
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Just a sacking to save a wage
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I have been ‘informed’ by a contact at the club that Schofield will not get the job as even Bonser realises that someone new and recognised needs to come in to get the fans back.
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Whoever JB appoints he needs to get it 100% right, because the club as a business cannot afford to lose any more of its base support.If by any chance JB gets it wrong i think we could see WFC wound up and playing Unibond teams in the not too distant future.GOD FORBID
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There’s a surprise - if this is true we’ll have a 3rd manager in place by the end of the season. Any why are the players claiming to be ’shocked’?
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There seems little hope of new players coming in now before the close of the transfer window. No player worth his salt is going to commit himself to a managerless club. Oh dear what a state to be in. Schofield appears to be the cheap option and thats all Mr Bonser will concern himself with. Personally, I think he would be the wrong choice as manager for a number of reasons. We need someone fresh, with new ideas and who can instil a new impetus and confidence into the players. That has been sadly missing for the past 2 or 3 months now. I hope Mr Bonser gets it right this time otherwise he will lose the few remaining loyal fans that are left. If that happens, I seriously fear for the future of the club. I have supported this club for the past 50 odd years or so, from the old 3rd Division South days. The current demise that the club find itself in, is the worst I have ever known. The old fighting spirit that the name of Walsall FC was so famous for, is no longer there, and that is a big worry.
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When will walsall ever learn? look where we ended up with Jimmy Mullen and now we are going down the same route again.
the club is just a joke! we need some one with a bit about them and some experience. not steve staunton!
the club will always be a joke until JB goes !
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Get Ian Holloway, he’s free and a decent manager!
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Looks as though its going to be John Ward then!!
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