Former Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has insisted he is not bitter about his Saddlers sacking and has targeted an immediate return to management.

Hutchings was dismissed yesterday after two years in charge of the League One basement boys.

Fan anger had reached boiling point after Monday’s 4-1 defeat at Peterborough, leaving chairman Jeff Bonser with little option but to sack the manager and his assistant Martin O’Connor.

But Hutchings refused to criticise the club despite being given the boot.

He said: “There are no hard feelings from me at all. I hope Walsall stay up and they have every chance.

“They probably need three or four players in but there are some good players already on board.

“Some fans have given me a tough time over the last few months but then again some did last season when we finished 10th.

“Some people weren’t happy then but that’s football and it’s the same at every club. You just have to deal with it.

“Supporters just want their club to be doing well and winning.”

Head of youth Dean Smith is in caretaker charge ahead of Saturday’s crucial game at Tranmere and chief executive Stefan Gamble has backed him to steady the ship.

He said: “Dean is an excellent coach who knows this football club inside out. He played and captained the club during his early years as a professional footballer and has been a part of the coaching staff, as head of youth, for the last 18 months.

“He had 15 years as a professional footballer, has his UEFA Pro Licence, is an accomplished coach and has a working knowledge of Walsall.”

Gamble echoed chairman Jeff Bonser by paying tribute to the sacked management team but admitted results were key.

He said: “Chris and Martin were very professional throughout their time at the club.

“They were hard-working and dedicated but football is a results business and results just weren’t going their way.

“We feel that we gave them a good amount of time in which to turn things around but, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and we had to make a decision for the good of the club.

“We wish Chris, Martin and chief scout David Hamilton all the very best for the future.”