Next Walsall boss: Ian Holloway keen to talk to Saddlers

The 56-year-old, who is out of work after leaving QPR last year, has an impressive managerial CV after guiding both Blackpool and Crystal Palace into the Premier League.

Holloway also won promotion from the Second Division in his first stint at QPR back in 2004.

But he is now looking for a long-term project where he can grow and develop both a club and its players.

And he says he would be happy to talk to Walsall if they see him as a potential candidate.

“I want to get back to work but I don’t want it to be at a club where there is every chance I could be moved on after six or 12 months,” Holloway said.

“At the stage I’m at in my career, I’m looking for a project.

“I want to be at a club I can move forward. I want to develop young players – for me, it’s all about learning and teaching now.

“And I want to play in the way I played at Blackpool.

“That is what I want, it doesn’t matter about the level.

“It’s all about the project and making a football club better. That’s what I’m looking for and if Walsall think I can do that for them I’d be happy to speak to them.”

Holloway is currently enjoying working in the media.

But he believes – at 56 – his best coaching days are still ahead of him.

“I’m really enjoying working in the media and the opportunities I’ve been given,” he continued.

“That’s why my next job has to be the right one because I’m enjoying what I’m doing now.

“The most important thing for me is that I enjoy doing whatever I’m doing for the rest of my life.

“But I’d love the chance to make a football club better. It is all about the process.

“I want to develop a team and develop young players who play in a modern way but with old fashioned values.

“How good we’d be would be down to the players we’d sign and the attitude they’d bring.

“But it would be wonderful managing a club that is really worth getting excited about.”