Walsall wait after Marcus Stewart exit
Walsall are seeking clarification on the outcome of League Two before making a decision on their vacant assistant coach role, the Express & Star understands.
Marcus Stewart left his position, citing his long commute from Bristol to the Black Country and his desire to spend more time with his family, as the reason for his departure.
Stewart had previously been Darrell Clarke’s assistant at Bristol Rovers.
With the coronavirus pandemic suspending football indefinitely and stopping clubs from training together, it’s believed Walsall are waiting until a decision is made on the remainder of the 2019/20 season before coming to a conclusion on Clarke’s backroom team.
Clarke has not been left without an assistant coach, however, as Brian Dutton also holds that role. This means the Saddlers could choose not to replace Stewart, with another assistant still at the club.
Meanwhile, it is believed that Walsall are waiting for further guidance from the government and EFL until decisions are made on how long the temporary wage cuts will last.
Chairman Leigh Pomlett revealed this week that some staff have taken temporary wage cuts while some are working voluntarily – adding that wage deferrals were also in place.
The majority of staff are on the government furlough scheme, meaning the government will pay 80 per cent of their wages, and it’s understood that the club will wait for further updates from the government – and when football may return – before any decisions are made.
