Walsall sack manager Matt Taylor in 39-word statement with Portsmouth legend lasting just eight mont
WALSALL have sacked manager Matt Taylor after just eight months.
The Portsmouth legend, 40, took charge of the League Two club last summer, leaving his role as Tottenham youth coach.
But with the club 21st and facing relegation out of the Football League, Walsall have decided to act now.
In a short, 39-word statement, the club revealed: "Walsall Football Club have parted company with head coach, Matt Taylor.
"Neil McDonald and Mat Sadler will take temporary charge of first-team affairs.
"We would like to thank Matt for his efforts and wish him well in the future."
Taylor was embarking on his first full-time managerial position in the Midlands.
The ex-Portsmouth and Bolton star had briefly taken charge of Swindon on an interim basis in 2018, spending two weeks in charge, before taking on a player-coach role.
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After that, the former left-back took on the role of Under-18s coach at Spurs.
He was approached to take charge of Walsall in May 2021, but remained at Tottenham until the end of the season.
But after taking over at Walsall in the summer, Taylor has had little to celebrate.
The Saddlers have won just seven of their 29 League Two games this year and are perilously close to the relegation zone.
And with 17 matches to go this season, Walsall chiefs have decided to act now in a bid to avoid dropping out of the Football League.
Taylor kicked off his playing career at Luton before making a name for himself at Pompey.
After six years and a number of stunning long-range strikes, he moved to Bolton, before turning out for West Ham, Burnley and Swindon before hanging up his boots in 2018.
MANAGERIAL DEPARTURES 2021/22
PREMIER League and EFL
Premier League 8
Munoz (Watford), Bruce (Newcastle), Santo (Tottenham), Farke (Norwich), Smith (Aston Villa), Solskjaer (Man Utd), Benitez (Everton), Ranieri (Watford).
Championship 8
Hughton (Forest), McCarthy (Cardiff), Schopp (Barnsley), Warnock (Middlesbro), Jokanovic (Sheff Utd), McAvoy (Preston), McCann (Hull), Ismael (West Brom)
League One 7
Adkins (Charlton), Grayson (Fleetwood), Wellens (Doncaster), Cook (Ipswich), Lowe (Plymouth), Evans (Gillingham), Johnson (Sunderland)
League Two 9
Flynn (Newport), Beech (Carlisle), Cox (Scunthorpe), Challinor (Hartlepool), Revell (Stevenage), Curle (Oldham), Mullins (Colchester), Benachour (Oldham, end of interim spell), Taylor (Walsall)
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