Walsall have sacked head coach Mat Sadler following a 1-0 defeat to Salford City that extended their winless run to three games. The loss left Walsall with just one victory in their past 11 matches in League Two, severely damaging their fading play-off ambitions. The Saddlers, who led the table by four points in early December, have plummeted to 11th place.

Sadler, a former defender at the club, departs after nearly three years in charge, having been appointed permanently in May 2023. His tenure will be remembered for last season's dramatic collapse when Walsall squandered a 12-point lead and eventually lost the League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon. Despite bringing in 15 new players over the summer, Sadler's side struggled to find consistency, winning only twice in 14 matches since Boxing Day.

Coach Darren Byfield will take interim charge with support from Terry Connor and the backroom staff. Walsall's style under Sadler, built on making the most of limited possession, came under increasing scrutiny as results deteriorated. The club now searches for their first permanent manager since April 2023, with 10 games remaining and their play-off hopes hanging by a thread.