Walsall confirm Ian Sharps as new first team coach

Boss Jon Whitney has moved swiftly to fill the coaching role left by Dean Holden, who joined Bristol City at the end of last week.

Sharps - who turned out for Tranmere, Rotherham, Shrewsbury, Burton and Telford during his playing career - had been assistant boss at mid-table National League Premier side Chester since the summer.

He had been close to moving to the Banks's Stadium in the summer of 2015 - following a voluntary spell - when Dean Smith was still in charge of the Saddlers, but that fell through.

"I feel very privileged to have been offered the job and I can't wait to get started," said Sharps.

"I've known Jon a couple of years and I got to know the club well when I came here on a voluntary basis about two years ago.

"I spent six months at Chester as their assistant manager and before then I worked with a number of youth teams. I've just passed my A licence so I've got a coaching background.

"I enjoyed my time at Chester but this was too good a prospect to turn down. I'm an ambitious man and I want to continue to progress here."

Whitney added: "His philosophy fits the way I want to coach and the way I want to bring players through.

"The fact he worked here for three months, I got to see what he can do first hand and I also liked him as a person.

"He was a leader as a player and he's got a really good reputation now as a coach. He's one for the future and I feel we're very lucky to get him in as part of our backroom staff."