Sean O'Driscoll is the new manager of Walsall

Sean O'Driscoll is the new manager of Walsall and will take charge of Sunday's game against Port Vale, it has been confirmed.

The former Bournemouth, Doncaster and Nottingham Forest boss joins the Saddlers on an initial 18-month contract.

He replaces Dean Smith who left the Banks's Stadium over a fortnight ago to join Championship outfit Brentford.

O'Driscoll will be assisted by Jon Whitney, who has been promoted to the role of first team and performance coach.

Whitney had been in caretaker charge along with John Ward and Neil Cutler ever since Smith's departure.

Cutler has also been promoted to the role of coach, with a key focus on developing goalkeepers.

Ward retains his role as professional development coach, with the primary aim of nurturing the club's youngsters.

Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser said: "We are delighted that Sean has agreed to join us as our new head coach. We believe he is the right man for the job and will maintain the club's philosophy of producing young players and playing attractive football.

"He has already experienced success at this level with Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers, and shares the values which lie at the foundation of Walsall Football Club.

"Sean ticks all the boxes in terms of the identity, blueprint and ethos that we work towards. We believe in his ability to advance the football club, enhance our growing reputation as a progressive, forward-thinking organisation and we look forward to working closely with him, in what we hope will be an exciting new chapter at the club."

O'Driscoll brings a wealth of experience, having managed over 600 competitive matches.

The 58-year-old, who won promotion with Doncaster and Bournemouth, has a reputation for producing teams who play attractive passing football.

He said: "The culture of the club was the main attraction more than anything else and what everybody at the football club have tried to build in the last few years.

"I said to the chairman and the board of directors that in football it's very rare that you get to contribute towards developing a culture and philosophy. I've watched Walsall in the last two or three seasons and I've been entertained every time.

"There is an exciting project here and I'm relishing the opportunity to play my part in seeing that project through."

An official press conference has been called for 12.30pm.