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Walsall sack their head coach with temporary replacement named

Walsall sack their head coach Michael Flynn following a 3-0 defeat away at Harrogate Town, leaving the Saddlers 15th in League Two.

Sam Folarin, Kazeem Olaigbe and Alexander Pattison all found the net as Harrogate swept past Walsall to go six games without defeat, equalling their longest EFL unbeaten run, with Walsall now winning just one of their last 21 games.

The win also lifted Simon Weaver’s team to six points above the drop zone with Hartlepool falling to a 2-0 defeat at Salford.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Walsall Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Michael Flynn.

Michael leaves the club alongside Assistant Head Coach Wayne Hatswell.

We thank Michael and Wayne for their contribution and wish them well in the future.

Mat Sadler will take charge of the first-team until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Trivela Group and the club will immediately initiate a thorough process to identify the correct next steps for the management of the first team for 23/24 campaign and beyond.

Harrogate took the lead in the 10th minute when Luke Armstrong pulled the ball back from the right and, after Pattison missed his shot, Folarin showed greater composure to put the ball into the bottom corner from six yards at the far post.

Walsall came close to an equaliser with Matty Stevens’ shot just inches away and Mark Oxley’s brilliant reflex save on Brandon Comley near-post header.

Harrogate’s lead was doubled in the 66th minute when Matt Daly’s shot was blocked. The ball then fell to Olaigbe who fired a powerful shot into Owen Evans’ upper-left corner.

Pattison added a third goal 10 minutes later, stabbing the onrushing Evans as he sprinted on Daly’s left-channel ball.

Walsall boss Michael Flynn said post-match: “I won’t name names but there are a few and I know who they are.

“They will get found out and it won’t do them any good as they are professionals and that alone should mean they have pride in their performances.

“Not enough have, and I am at a loss what to do with them we have tried everything. I have said before I have professional pride, I know I am a good manager I have proved it over five years but I need people with me to prove it here.”

Walsall boss Mike Flynn argued that some players at the club did not match his commitment to the cause, with the sorry Saddlers having won just one of their last 21 contests.

He said: “I know it’s my job on the line but I love being at this football club and want to be part of the project. I know we can get things right and that I am a good manager.

“I’ve proven that over a six-year period and Wayne (Hatswell) is a very good assistant manager because he’s proven that over a longer period.

“We’ve also still got a group of players that are giving their all but I’m starting to find out who are the ones who want to be here and who are the ones who don’t.

“Players still need to have personal and professional pride and the character to finish the season well but there are a few players who are not showing that.

“We got punished for making three individual errors and we gave a team that are fighting for their lives encouragement and played into their hands.

“We also had two good chances in the first half that we should have scored.”

Harrogate boss Simon Weaver said: “Kazeem’s goal was amazing – it was a magnificent moment. Sam Folarin also set the tone for us.

“He lifted the crowd because he was electric and, one-on-one, he can beat anyone in a race. It was a massive result and performance from the players and we really needed it.

“There was a big sigh of relief when the third goal went in because it felt more comfortable but, at times, we really did play some exciting, flowing football.”

“The confidence levels feel like they are up in training and in games and we expect a certain level of performance now.

“We’ve been consistent but the reality of where we are in the table and the magnitude of each game is embedded in everyone and that can hold you back mentally.

“But, after we scored the second goal, we were a constant threat. We’re not safe yet but we have taken a step closer with a very important result.”

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW WALSALL MANAGER:

BetVictor – 1:30pm – 19th April
Danny Cowley – 6/1
David Artell – 6/1
Mat Sadler – 6/1
Darrell Clarke – 8/1
Karl Robinson – 10/1
Graham Alexander – 12/1
Nigel Adkins – 12/1
Leam Richardson – 12/1

This is what fans said as Walsall sack their head coach with a temporary replacement named…

@WFCBagnall: Another decent manager you have failed. The problems at this football club lie alot deeper than Michael Flynn. Mole, Gamble, Whittaker and the rest of the old board that have been nothing but failures at this club for years, OUT!

@andy90wfc: Remember when the majority of supporters wanted Flynn in and the consensus was if he can’t succeed here, no one will. Here we are 12 months later 🙄. Sad. Of course he has to take responsibility for the run of form but you wonder when the people above him will finally do the same

@Sheldon444: Right decision. No style of play, bingo tactics, no improvement in 18 months despite half decent backing. Took us on two dismal runs this season. Players also to blame but they were his players & his responsibility to motivate.

@DJohnson_06: I personally think it’s the wrong decision. I just can’t think of anyone who could do better . We said Clarke was the one, we then sacked him and then pretty much every Walsall fan said Flynn was the one and now look what’s happened , it’s a very sad day

@NicktheSaddler: And Repeat! Obviously not selling enough season tickets again! 🥱🤦🏻‍♂️ This is tiresome!.. One year from now we will be looking for a replacement for Flynns replacement!… Oh the joy!…

@05mazza: Can we expect some resignations today?

@powis_dominic:
Had to happen
Feel for Flynn as a person but we couldn’t go on any longer
Next appointment is the most important in many many years

@Footiespr5687: Never been so 50/50 over a sacking but hope Matt Sadler can help the boys over next 3 games

@AdeH1992: Wish him all the best , just didn’t work out here

@GeorgeBeams: @VitalWalsall Hard to argue with this decision. Lost the dressing room off the back of constantly calling out the team and players in interviews and a clear lack of knowledge with all the double substitutions that never worked. Wanted it to work with Flynn!sadly it just hasn’t.

@StarrOutlook: Sad to read this, the board should have backed him in buying players. How many times have we been in this situation over the years? The club needs shaking up from top to bottom. Thank you for everything, Flynnie 👏

@walsallharry: Unfortunate but his stubbornness to change has caused this. Certainly wish him well for the future

@TheMeerkat96: Thanks for your efforts, Michael. You’re a top bloke and I’m sure it’ll work out somewhere else for you! Unfortunately, the club had no choice if we want to be promotion pushing next season.

@NicktheSaddler: Time for a complete rethink and a longer term project!… Going to replace the fence and jetwash the patio!… Oh and get the cobwebs out the tinpot!..

@GazWatts: Boards fault not backing him when DJ left signing unfit players to replace our top scorer , clubs a joke the board have cost Flynn his job and half those wankers playing who haven’t been arsed since they joined ,watch him get backed next club and take them up

@Snoweysnow: The fans are to blame for this, they hounded out a manger has the potential to be good but it is what it is and we move on and not cry about it 🤷

@eddieatkins84: Lovely bloke but lost the plot

@DMCG1991: Shame it didn’t work. Not defending the winless runs and football but if Pomlett and Dan have anything about themselves they’ll be resigning from the board this afternoon.

@BennMalpass: Same old same old. Another 2 year plan starts in the summer

@Davwin_: If people think this will fix our problems, they’re mistaken. Trivela need to gut the boardroom before we see any of this ‘incremental progress’ we were promised. Flynn is another in a long line of decent footballing people broken by the people at the top of the club.

@Rossmeister: You need to sack the board for a start. Or this will continue for many more years. The rott is at the top.

@Coyney02: Absolutely stupid decision. Micky flynns barmy army

@Joshb__123: I still think we should have given him the summer window, real shame this didn’t work out. Another massive overhaul of players now and same again this time next year

@Saddlersgirl1: Another decent manager to be failed by the board!! Problems lie a lot deeper than keep sacking the manager’s.. Club is no better off now than it was under Bonser.. Mole & Gamble should take some responsibility for how poor this club is run!! Sad times

@louisemoorhouse: Personally think the directors should also part Company.. rotten from the core

@RyaaanD95: Decent manager, problems obviously go a lot deeper. 8 in 8 years is enough to tell anyone that. The buck stops with Trivela now, will they actually take any action? Or will they just turn a blind eye?
Probably the latter.

@kingsmithy7: Wanted it to work out, but the football was poor and 1 win in 21 is unforgivable. Mole, Gamble and Whittaker need to leave too

@BradyWFC93: 1 win in 20 isn’t good enough no matter who the manager is…. Players and club need to hang their head in shame

@samuelsaurusrex: It has been terrible but I still don’t know if this is the right decision. What a weird feeling to have.

@Staffs_Saddler: Those at the top need to have a look at themselves and consider their role in this ongoing decline. You know who you are.

@RhysLock: Despite the way he left, think most county fans wanted to see him do well, shame to see it end like that

@saddler_andy: So I get it – but we are dating to prospective managers 12 months, success or get out

@grecian10681068: After Matt Taylor left, loads of names were bandied about by our fans. Mark Cooper and Gary Johnson were 2 , and look how it’s worked out for them this season. Darrell Clarke and Mike Flynn were certainly 2 more names I saw mentioned, both have been sacked in the last 24 hours

@wfcbeechy: Here we go again. Yet another rebuild 🤦🏻‍♂️. Personally would have gave him start of the season. Board should start looking at themselves as now yet another competent lower league manager has gone

@Matt_Saddler: If Trivela don’t also replace Mole and Gamble, this is just a waste of time. Next manager will be failed by the club and we’ll be back with another statement tweet in 12-18 months…

@SaddlersSite: It’s gutting as Flynn’s a great bloke who clearly cared about managing Walsall but the football was dire and wasn’t improving for months

@zzJONESYzz: Sack as many as you want, until that fat forheaded twat mole and gamble are gone, the club is going nowhere

@TheLeonKearney: He was never for me when people wanted him at us. One club man & did a job with Newport who are at a level they’re probably sustainably at. Then again, a bit like us at TRFC, I think Walsall hierarchy have regressed last few seasons, as both our recent league positions suggest.

@sebtaylorwfc: Another decent manager for League Two fails to deliver success. 8 managers in 8 years now 😬. Problems lie a lot deeper than sacking managers. Lots of respect for Flynn and I wish him all the best for the future!

@Jake__Kimberley: Another manager gone. And will the board make another mistake and repeat for next one? Yes.

@NewsSaddlers: I can’t help but feel this is the wrong decision. I understand the football and results were really poor but it seems we’ve done the same thing we do every season. What’s the definition of insanity again?

@LiamStewartWFC: I really wanted it to work with Flynn but at the end of the day these are his players who are not performing. It hasn’t looked like we have a style of play. It had to happen.

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