Walsall are entering a new era - here's why

Head of football Stewart Mairs believes Walsall are entering a new era under head coach Lee Grant.

Following Grant’s appointment, the club are preparing for a summer of significant change, with a major turnover of players expected ahead of the new season.

The 43-year-old will work closely with Mairs over the coming months to help shape a new-look Saddlers squad.

Asked whether a new era had begun at the club, Mairs said: “Yes, I think so.

“With the majority of our group, and from what you've seen in the retained and released list, we've probably come to the end of a cycle.

“After the last two years, with the highs and then the ultimate lows of the season ending how it did, and that natural cycle ending, it's a really good opportunity to take stock, to reflect and plan for the future.

“We've identified some of the areas that we were strong in, some of the areas that we need to improve in, and hopefully we'll implement them moving forward and get a few more wins at the Bescot next season.”

The upcoming transfer window will be the first overseen by Mairs since his appointment as head of football in April.

Walsall held talks with Grant for around a fortnight before he signed a three-year deal at the club, and Mairs explained why the former Huddersfield Town boss emerged as the leading candidate.

He added: “We had a number of different prerequisites and markers that we wanted to see in a head coach. Not only on the technical and tactical side, but also on the human side.

“We wanted someone who we thought could reflect the community of Walsall - hard-working, good morals, someone who can hold himself and the group accountable and high character.

“As we ticked and checked off all those boxes, we quickly established two or three candidates that really fit the bill.

“Then you move more into the interviews and the one-to-ones and it culminated in a four-hour interview in person with Leigh Pomlett, Ben (Sadler), Matt Jordan and myself.

“Along that process, we shared a lot of the same values. That was important to the ownership group. But also, it’s important to us that we get the right man on the field.

“We want to elevate our game. We want to try and bring in a brand of football which we can resonate with the community and that wins games. It's all about winning at the end of the day.

“Lee came out on top and we're very happy that he's here.”