Former Walsall defender hails Ryan Simmonds as a "great addition"

Former Walsall defender James O’Connor believes Ryan Simmonds will be “a great addition” at Walsall - after it was confirmed he will continue to work with the first team coaching staff next season.

Simmonds joined the Saddlers as professional development phase coach in 2023, but stepped up into the senior set-up under former interim head coach Darren Byfield last term.

The 34-year-old will now remain with the first team as part of new head coach Lee Grant’s backroom staff next season.

Simmonds is a “natural coach”

O’Connor worked with Simmonds during his first senior role at Kidderminster Harriers between 2019 and 2020 and issued high praise for his former colleague.

“I first came across Ryan when I was at Kidderminster. He was given his first taste of senior coaching where he was thrown in at the deep end as support coach to Neil McFarlane,” O’Connor said.

“Very green, but also a natural coach. You could see that straightaway and he is very good at developing players and helping them along that journey.

“I think he’s a great addition to the team and he’s very talented on the grass as well.”

Simmonds started his coaching career as Kidderminster under-19s assistant, before performing the same role with the first team under a number of managers.

Academy roles with the likes of Coventry City, Stratford Town and MK Dons followed until he joined Walsall in April 2023.

Resilience will help Simmonds at Walsall

He was also once on the books at Aston Villa and had a spell with Brighton before moving into coaching.

And O’Connor feels his challenges as a player have equipped Simmonds with an inner-resilience, which he has taken into his career as a coach.

“The transition from academy to first team football. He has had that transition himself as a young player himself at Aston Villa and not quite making the grade.

“He went to Brighton and his playing career probably didn’t work out the way that he wanted.

“But I think that experience will lead to him becoming a really good coach at academy and senior level.”