Mat Sadler can leave Walsall with his "head held high" - Darren Byfield
Darren Byfield insists Mat Sadler can leave Walsall with his "head held high" following his sacking by the club earlier this week.
Sadler was relieved of his duties on Wednesday after collecting just two wins from his last 14 games in League Two.
First team coach Byfield has been installed in interim charge and will be in the dugout for the Saddlers' trip to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday - with an appointment likely next week.
Byfield worked alongside Sadler throughout his reign, but admitted that results have inevitably led them to this situation.
Mat Sadler can leave with his "head held high"
But the 49-year-old was complimentary of the foundations laid by Sadler and the culture that he built during over two-and-a-half years at the club.
"He has left a very good team. He brought a culture and an environment here in terms of listening to players, respecting players and he got it back," Byfield said.
"I'm sure his win percentage is one of the highest in the last god knows how many managers we've had here.
"I think he can leave with his head held high. I understand the part where it didn't end well last season - we know that.
"Because of the rut we're in now, people will look at last season and say that we can't do the second half.
