Darren Byfield set to take charge at Crewe with Walsall appointment expected next week
Darren Byfield is expected to be in the dugout for Walsall's trip to local rivals Crewe Alexandra on Saturday - with an appointment more likely to be made next week.
First team coach Byfield will take interim charge, as Walsall actively search for a new head coach after relieving Mat Sadler of his duties.
An appointment appears unlikely before the next game against Crewe, but the club intend to move fast in an attempt to salvage something from this season.
Walsall parted ways with Sadler after a run of just two wins in the last 14 games marked the end of his rollercoaster reign.
A 1-0 defeat at Salford City on Tuesday saw Walsall suffer three successive league defeats for the first time under Sadler's watch.
They remain winless on home soil in 2026 and have gone seven games at Bescot without tasting victory in total.
Their last home success came against Saturday's opponents Crewe on Boxing Day, which consolidated their position at the League Two summit.
But form has entered freefall mode ever since and Walsall have subsequently plummeted to 11th in the table.
Sixth-placed Salford streaked eight points clear of the Saddlers with victory last night, although Walsall still remain just three points adrift of Grimsby Town in the final play-off spot.
Sadler took charge of Walsall in May 2023 after overseeing the final three games of the 2022-23 season on a caretaker basis.
Walsall finished 11th at the end of his debut season despite initially threatening to break into the play-off places.
They set a club record nine-match winning streak to sit 12 points clear at the top of League Two in January 2025, but collected just three wins from their final 21 games to finish fourth.
A 4-1 aggregate win over Chesterfield guided them to the play-off final which ended in a 1-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon in May 2025.
