It was the case of an end of an era at The Bescot Stadium at the end of last month when League 1 high flyers Walsall announced that long serving Manager Dean Smith had been appointed Manager of Championship side Brentford.
A club who always budget to live within their means, Walsall made huge progress during Smith’s tenure which lasted just short of 5 years.
When the ‘Ginger Mourinho’ was appointed manager of the Saddlers in January 2011 the club were a daunting 9 points adrift of safety at the bottom of League 1. Smith made a huge impact in a short period of time as the club narrowly avoided relegation by a solitary point that season.
Walsall went on to punch above their weight after the great escape as Smith turned his side from strugglers to the division’s dark horses.
Fans witnessed continuous improvement during Smith’s time in charge which also saw the club’s first visit to the new Wembley in last season’s Johnstones’ Paint Trophy where they were defeated by Bristol City.
Smith left The Saddlers in 4th position in League 1 and the club have now appointed Sean O’Driscoll as his replacement, a man who has enjoyed promotions at both AFC Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers during his managerial career.
O’Driscoll has already started to win over Walsall fans after Sunday’s 2-0 derby victory over bitter Black Country rivals Port Vale.
