EFL manager goes from top at Christmas to sacked in March

Mat Sadler has left his role as Walsall manager after three-and-a-half years in charge.

The League Two club were top of the table at Christmas before a dramatic downturn in form.

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Walsall have not won a single home match in 2026 and recently lost three games on the bounce for the first time under Sadler.

The Saddlers now sit 11th in the table – with any hopes of automatic promotion all-but gone.

A 1-0 defeat to Salford City on Tuesday night left them eight-points adrift of the sixth-place play-off position with ten league matches remaining.

The club said in a statement: “Walsall Football Club have today parted company with Men’s First Team Head Coach Mat Sadler, bringing an end to his tenure after nearly three years in charge.

“Appointed in May 2023, Mat notably guided the Saddlers to the 2024/25 League Two play off final, a campaign that also included a club record nine consecutive league victories. 

“Mat’s time as Head Coach also featured a series of memorable cup runs.

“During his first season in 2023/24, we reached the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, where we were beaten by Premier League opposition Southampton.

“The following season brought further standout moments, with the Saddlers defeating League One opposition on multiple occasions, including Bolton Wanderers in the Emirates FA Cup along with Exeter City and Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup, before holding Premier League Leicester City to a 0–0 draw in front of a packed Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, eventually losing out on penalties.

“This season, we again reached the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, where we were knocked out by Championship side Norwich City.

“As Head Coach, across 158 competitive games, Mat achieved the highest win percentage of any Walsall Manager/Head Coach in over 25 years, along with overseeing the development and progression of numerous young players who made a significant impact within the Men’s First Team and subsequently earned moves higher up the pyramid.                    

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“Mat’s connection to Walsall spans more than a decade. As a player, he made over 90 appearances across two spells at WS1, before returning as a coach and later stepping into the Head Coach role.

“His professionalism, character and commitment have been evident throughout every chapter of his association with the Club.”

Co Chairman Ben Boycott said: “I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the significant efforts and contributions of Mat, both as a professional and as a person, during his time at the Club. We thank him for his dedicated service and wish him the very best for the future.”

Darren Byfield will take interim charge of the team for Saturday’s fixture against Crewe Alexandra, supported by Terry Connor and the rest of the club’s backroom staff. 

Walsall added: “The club will be working through the next steps and shall provide further updates regarding a new Head Coach in due course.”

Sadler at Walsall

Sadler has been synonymous with Walsall – not least because of the similarities between his surname and the club’s nickname – but also due to his long-standing relationship with the club.

The 41-year-old was a veteran for the Saddlers as a player, making more than 100 appearances over two separate spells at centre-back.

After his appointment as manager in 2023, Sadler experienced a number of highs at the club, eventually establishing himself as the 18th longest-serving manager in England before his exit.

In his debut campaign, Walsall finished 11th in League Two, which was the club’s best finish since they were relegated in 2019.

The following season, Sadler guided the Saddlers to the League Two play-off final, where they were beaten by Wimbledon.

Walsall appeared to be trending in the right direction, taking another step towards promotion in the first half of the 2025/26 season.

However, a run of two wins in 14 matches has left the club staring at mid-table mediocrity.

It is an all-too familiar story for Walsall fans, who watched a similar collapse in League Two last season.

The club were 12 points clear at the top of the fourth tier in January 2025, on a nine-game winning streak, with many tipping them to break the League Two points record.

However, Sadler’s men would go on to win just two of their next 19 games after Stoke recalled goal machine Nathan Lowe from his electrifying loan spell.

Incredibly, they were the first team in English football history to win nine consecutive games and also fail to win 13 straight games in the same season.