Walsall have this evening confirmed the sacking of their first team manager Dean Keates following their 3-1 defeat to Oxford United.
Keates, a former Saddlers player, guided them to safety at the end of the 2017/18 season, however after after a run of 10 defeats in 13 games, there was no choice but for the board to relieve him of his duties.
WALSALL CLUB STATEMENT:
“Walsall Football Club have tonight parted company with Manager Dean Keates with immediate effect.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Dean for all his hard work and dedication during his time with the Saddlers and wish him well for the future.”
According to Bescot Banter: “There have been a series of lengthy meetings between club Chairman Jeff Bonser, Chief-Executive Stefan Gamble, and Secretary and Director Dan Mole held at Banks’s Stadium in mid February, with club officials initially opting to give Keates more time to turn things around.”
Express & Star say there was speculation on the manager getting the sack as he failed to make himself present at to the post-match press.
They added: “Owner Jeff Bonser and first-team coach Martin O’Connor then held a meeting in the stands at the Banks’s Stadium which was visible to the onlooking media.
“However, a club official confirmed there would be no further news on Keates’ dismissal – or who might replace him – today.”
Following the departure of Dean Keates at Walsall, fans took to give their thoughts on social media, majority agreed on the decision but also named others that needed getting rid of – find out what they had to say on the next page.
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