Next Walsall boss: Dennis Wise not on Saddlers' shortlist

The Saddlers, whose relegation from League One was confirmed on Saturday, have been without a permanent boss since the sacking of Dean Keates back in April.

Wise emerged as a shock contender last week when – out of nowhere – a number of bookmakers made him second favourite for the role with odds as short as 5/2.

But the Express & Star understands he is not on the shortlist complied by the Walsall board.

Chelsea legend Wise is currently the manager of Indonesia under-17s. And it is believed his links to the Saddlers emerged after he brought his team to the West Midlands to play Walsall’s academy.

Meanwhile, May 18 is understood to be a key date for Walsall in their search for a new boss.

Saddlers have 19 players out of contract this summer with the list including regular first-teamers such as Jon Guthrie, Luke Leahy, Nicky Devlin, Liam Kinsella, Joe Edwards, and Isaiah Osbourne.

Football League rules state out of contract players have to be told by May 18 if they are going to be offered a new deal by their clubs.

And in an ideal world, Walsall are keen for the new manager to assess the squad and hold meetings with the players.

As well as those mentioned, Chris Dunn, Zeli Ismail, Adam Chambers, Maz Kouhyar, Jordon Sangha, Dylan Parker, Omar Mussa and Ben Purkiss are all out of contract next month.

As are Kieron Morris, Callum Cockerill-Mollett, Tobias Hayles-Docherty, Dan Vann, Cameron Peters and Joe Slinn – players who all had loan moves away from the Banks’s Stadium last season.

That means Liam Roberts, Cameron Norman, Kory Roberts, Dan Scarr, George Dobson, Andy Cook, Morgan Ferrier, Josh Gordon and youngsters Alfie Bates and Mitch Candlin are the only first-teamers currently contracted for the 2019/20 campaign.

Meanwhile, Darrell Clarke is the latest manager to see his odds tumble in the race to be the next Walsall boss. The former Bristol Rovers man could be found at odds of 16/1 yesterday.

But he is now 3/1 with most bookies. Keith Hill remains the favourite.