Express & Star

Neil Cutler agrees new Walsall deal

First-team coach Neil Cutler has signed a new contract with Walsall, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2019.

Published
Last updated

The 41-year-old initially joined the Saddlers as a goalkeeping coach in 2013 after succeeding club legend Mick Kearns.

But the former Stoke and Villa glovesman was promoted following the appointment of Jon Whitney as manager.

Cutler's new deal is in keeping with boss Whitney and fellow first-team coach Ian Sharps who are also contracted to the club until 2019.

“I’m delighted - my contract was running out at the end of this season so I’m delighted to put that one to bed and to be able to carry on with what we’ve been doing,” he said.

“Things have been moving along really nicely with the young players coming through - helping them to progress - and the progression of the keepers has been really good, too.

“I think I’ve improved massively in my time at the club and that has been down to the manager as well, he’s been magnificent with me.

“What he did when he was a sports scientist, I’ve learned so much about the biomechanics of goalkeeping. That detail has definitely helped me push forward.

"But he's also helped how I am as a person. He’s helped me with my personality - how I deal with things day-to-day and my confidence.

"He can take massive pride in that and that’s another reason why I wanted to stay at this football club.”

Cutler believes by committing his future to Walsall he can continue to develop as a coach.

“I’m really, really happy with the club and everything it stands for," he added.

“I’m all about developing players - and goalkeepers particularly.

“This is what this club is all about so it suits me right down to the ground.

“I’m improving and I’m moving forward - Ian Sharps and the gaffer have been big players in me progressing.

“They help me tactically when we talk about opposition and I feel like I’m learning all the time.

“This is the club to be at if you want to move forward and better yourself - and that’s me.”