Key talking points from Lee Grant’s first press conference as Walsall boss

You could sense that new Walsall boss Lee Grant is energised by the opportunity in front of him.

By his own admission, it has been a whirlwind first week in charge. Grant has spent much of it on the phone speaking to agents and players or in discussions with club officials as preparations for the new season gather pace.

When he sat down with us for the first time, he came across as calm, grounded and approachable - but beneath that was a clear sense of ambition and determination.

Several key themes quickly emerged.

Project

The role at Walsall marks only Grant’s second job as a head coach following an eight-month spell at Huddersfield Town. Before that, he enjoyed a successful period as part of the coaching staff at Ipswich Town, helping the club secure back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

Grant made no attempt to hide how excited he is by the opportunity at Walsall. He appears confident and driven to be the man who can guide the Saddlers back to League One - a vision shared by chief executive Ben Sadler and head of football Stewart Mairs.

There is also realism. A major summer rebuild lies ahead, with plenty of work still to be done in what will again be a fiercely competitive division.

Grant was keen to praise the foundations laid by those before him and is now eager to build on them as he looks to move the club forward.

‘Visions aligned’

From speaking to Grant and the club’s hierarchy, it is clear his appointment was rooted in shared values, beliefs and ambitions for where Walsall should be heading.

Another important factor was appointing someone capable of connecting with the club’s identity and its community.

This feels like the start of a new era at Bescot. With several players departing following the end of last season, the club now has a near ‘blank canvas’ to work from.

Attacking football

One of the standout reasons behind Grant’s appointment is his football philosophy.

Listening to him speak, it quickly became clear he wants his Walsall side to play with freedom, energy and attacking intent.

Grant made one thing particularly clear - he wants his teams to score goals.

There is an irony to that given he spent a distinguished playing career trying to stop them as a goalkeeper, but his mindset as a coach is very different.

Now, his focus is on building a side capable of hurting opponents: a team full of hunger, intensity and a willingness to take the game to the opposition.

Valuable experience

Grant also described himself as a hands-on coach - someone who enjoys working closely with players, demanding standards and helping individuals improve.

He brings significant experience from a 22-year playing career, during which he worked under some of football’s most respected managers, including Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Others who influenced him include Sean Dyche, Eddie Howe and Kieran McKenna at Ipswich.

Grant admitted he has taken lessons from all of them and now wants to apply those experiences to his own project at Walsall.

Having learned from managers who have each enjoyed significant success in their own way, Grant will hope he can now write his own story at Bescot.