WALSALL have named former Newport County boss Michael Flynn as their new head coach.

The 41-year-old has joined the Saddlers on a contract until 2024 and replaces Matt Taylor, who was dismissed from the role last week after a run of successive defeats.

Flynn said: "I can’t wait to get going.

“It’s a fantastic football club, I remember playing against them many years ago, Paul Merson was in charge so that does go back a while.

“It is a club that wants to go in the right direction and that was key for me.

“I am bringing in togetherness. Every single team that I have been a part of, there has been a real togetherness.

“I am going to make sure that that is throughout the football club.

“I know Jamie (Fullarton) is really big on that, and again that was one of the principles that I was really impressed with so I can’t speak highly enough of him on that.

“We have a very vocal group of supporters and we want to try and get more feet inside the stand on match days and we can only do that by winning games.

“I am sure that with them behind us and with everyone pulling in the right direction, we will have a good end to the season."

 

Flynn spent four-and-a-half years at Newport, where he guided them to two play-off finals during his tenure.

He left the South Wales club in October, 2021 and is now tasked with lifting Walsall up the League Two table.

The Saddlers lie six points above the relegation zone and secured a much-needed win last weekend when they beat Tranmere Rovers, 1-0.

Walsall chairman Leigh Pomlett said: “I’m delighted to bring in someone of Michael’s ambition and experience to the football club.

“His experience having managed at this level of football will be invaluable and I now expect us to stabilise and climb the table.”