Steve Guest steps down as Walsall Women manager

The 40-year-old succeeded Joe McGrath in November 2022 and guided Walsall to a third-place finish in the West Midlands Division One North at the end of his first full season at the helm in 2023-24. 

Walsall finished second, behind only league winners Hednesford Town, after losing just three of their 18 games. 

Guest also guided the Saddlers to the Division One Cup final, which ended in a 2-0 defeat against Redditch Borough.

"It is with a heavy heart that I make this decision, which has not been easy," Guest wrote on social media. 

"I have made the decision to step down as Walsall FC Women manager. Over the past two-and-a-half years, it has been a joy to have worked at the club. 

"And I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this new history for the women's game at Walsall. 

"We've come a long way, finishing second this season. We were just one win away from the FA Cup first round proper and reaching cup finals. 

"Thank you Matt and Lucas for all the support. The football club for giving me this amazing opportunity, it will forever be a special time in my life. 

"I wish everyone at Walsall FC Women the very best for the future."

The women's side are also looking to recruit players for their newly created reserve team, who will start next season in the Birmingham County League. 

Former Stoke City Ladies coach Vicky Mitchell joined the women's technical board earlier this week. 

Mitchell told the club: “The role for me, from early conversations, it’s very much at the moment putting up the scaffolding.

“We’ve got to look at the identity of the club and intertwine that with the men’s, follow the model of the men’s and look at the discipline and the culture of the women’s side of it and see what we can outreach.

“Throughout Walsall, the culture that they’ve got already, we can certainly build on anything that’s there."