Joe Masi Walsall comment: The CV was right – the fit was not
At first it seemed like a match made it heaven...writes Walsall reporter Joe Masi
Sean O'Driscoll arrived at the Banks's Stadium a man who had achieved what all Walsall fans wanted – promotion from League One.
From a tactical point of view, he was as close as the Saddlers board were ever going to get to the man he replaced, Dean Smith.
But while their football philosophies were similar, personality wise Smith and O'Driscoll couldn't have been further apart.
Smith was bright eyed, friendly and upbeat – a manager who had found the perfect balance between being friends with his players but also commanding their respect.
O'Driscoll was a different character. Quiet and unexcitable. A disciplinarian. In many ways like the teacher at school everybody was afraid of.
Undoubtedly a talented coach, the 58-year-old wanted to improve everyone he met, including journalists.
He would advise us how to improve our questioning and, off the record, tell us what was going on behind the scenes so we could write with authority.
The problem was the way he did it.
There were many times I came away from press conferences embarrassed because of the way he spoke to me. He made me feel small in room of colleagues.
And it wasn't just me, it always seemed someone came away from a meeting with him feeling belittled.
O'Driscoll seemed to feel he could do everyone's job better than they could.
And the whole time it left me wondering, if he is like this with the media – what is he like with the players?
I've been covering Walsall for a short spell. But it took just a few weeks to realise what great people are at the club.
Smith, when he was there, together with the board and staff are a pleasure to work with. And the players, I can honestly say, are the most likeable and down to earth bunch you could wish to meet.
But they were used to being under the management of someone they wanted to play for – someone they would run through a brick wall for.
O'Driscoll just didn't have the same demeanour. He was not of the same character. He was not Walsall. And I feel that is one of the reasons the board had to let him go. It was a big call, but for the long-term future of the club it was the right one.
