Walsall boss Lee Grant on lessons learned from Jose Mourinho and Co

Walsall head coach Lee Grant had a dream opportunity to pick the brains of managerial icon Jose Mourinho in the latter stages of his career.

He has also worked in close proximity with the likes of Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Kieran McKenna and Steve McClaren.

Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe also had an impact on him earlier in his career and Grant has tried to absorb everything he can on his road to Walsall.

“I had an awful lot of respect for Jose. Not just because he signed me, but I was privy with how he was and how he dealt with people on the inside,” Grant explained.

“Even with me on a personal level, there were occasions when I was in his office. And the empathy, or the ability to connect with a player, are key attributes.

“He had those in abundance. If you tie that in with his ability on the grass, or his level of detail in a Champions League game away at Juventus for example.

“These are special opportunities to have as a player, or somebody at the point that I was at in my career.

“I was trying to absorb as much as I could. Jose, Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Kieran McKenna taught me a lot too.

“Plus I worked with Steve McClaren on a couple of occasions and played under Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe.”

After ending his playing career with Manchester United, Grant learned the ropes of management as part of McKenna’s backroom staff at Ipswich Town.

Back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League followed, before Grant decided to finally take the plunge and go alone with Huddersfield Town last summer.

Although that role lasted just eight months, Grant is still fresh on the management scene and is eager to lean on some of those influences for advice during his latest spell at Walsall.

“They’re great opportunities and even now I tend to lean on some of those experiences,” he added.

“Even if it’s just a phone call from some of these individuals to help guide decision-making processes, or whatever it may be.

“I feel very blessed to have had those opportunities to learn and all of those learnings can hopefully help have a positive effect for me here at Walsall.”