Next Walsall manager: Saddlers will have to ask favourites
Walsall will have to be proactive if they wish to fill their managerial vacancy with somebody already in employment, the Express & Star understands.
The Saddlers are on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Jon Whitney earlier this week.
Adi Viveash and Dean Keates are currently leading the betting with most bookmakers with a large section of fans eager to see one of the club legends return to take charge.
Both men though are currently in employment with Viveash the assistant manager at Coventry while Keates is in charge of a Wrexham side flying high in the National League.
It is understood both are happy in their current roles, meaning Walsall would have to approach them if they are interested in speaking to either about the managerial vacancy. Keates had been second favourite behind Viveash for the job. But yesterday he was pushed into third place with interim-boss Ian Sharps currently the second favourite.
The ex-defender has been placed in temporary charge with coach John Ward.
And it is likely the 37-year-old will be in charge for Walsall’s League One clash with Wigan next week with the Saddlers hierarchy refusing to be rushed into an appointment.
Should Sharps impress against the Latics and against Oldham in the following game, he may be given the job until the end of the season.
That would allow the Saddlers board to assess candidates who are out of contract or have break clauses allowing them to leave their clubs in the summer.
Meanwhile, Coventry boss Mark Robins has laughed off the links suggesting Viveash will be the next Walsall boss.
The former Chelsea coach is currently acting assistant manager at the Ricoh Arena.
Viveash stepped up on a temporary basis after full-time number two Steve Taylor fell ill with a bleed on the brain.
But Robins did not seem overly conceded when asked if he was about to lose the services of Viveash as well.
Asked about the link, he joking told the Coventry Telegraph: “That will be him linking himself with it!”
As to whether Viveash has mentioned it to him, the City boss said: “We have not spoken about it, no.”
And asked if he’s concerned, he laughed: “No!”
