Walsall Eye Former Stars Andy Butler and Dean Holden to Replace Mat Sadler

Walsall’s Board of Directors will need to do some sweet talking to persuade two of their top targets to land a replacement for Mat Sadler, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

Our sources have been told former players Andy Butler and Dean Holden are being considered as successors to Sadler who was sacked last week following his team’s 1-0 defeat at Salford City.

Walsall were top of League Two at Christmas, as they were 12 months ago. But since beating Crewe on Boxing Day, the Saddlers had won only twice in 16 games in all competitions to lead to Sadler's sacking. 

They have plummeted to 10th in the table, albeit only three points from the play-offs, but enjoyed a confidence-boosting 3-0 win at Crewe at the weekend. 

Who's The Person For The Job?

Butler is currently boss of National League and former EFL outfit, Scunthorpe United. The Iron are sixth and while out of contention for automatic promotion, among the favourites for the play-offs.

Butler, who got Scunny promoted last season, made nearly 180 appearances in four years at the Bescot Stadium.

However, the 42-year-old’s work at Scunthorpe was rewarded with a contract extension until 2028, less than a week before Sadler’s departure.

Holden is a former Walsall assistant manager and also played for the club. He is currently number two to Sergej Jakirovic at promotion chasing Championship side Hull City.

He has previously been head coach at Bristol City and Charlton while gaining further experience under Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.

However, Holden, 46, is keen to become a manager in his own right again. It remains to be seen if he will consider dropping down two divisions to satisfy that ambition.

Darren Byfield has been put in temporary charge and will be assisted by Terry Connor.

Former Port Vale gaffers Darren Moore and Darrell Clarke are other names in the frame along with recently out of work ex Northampton boss, Kevin Nolan.