Former Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke has been appointed as manager of Walsall.
The Saddlers were relegated to League Two this season, and have offered the 41-year-old a three-year deal.
Walsall Appoint Darrell Clarke as Manager Following Relegation
✍️ Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce that Darrell Clarke has agreed to become the #Saddlers‘ new First Team Manager!
? https://t.co/59az9isPRG#WelcomeDarrell pic.twitter.com/JWeJ1cK8O8
— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) May 10, 2019
Clarke to Take Walsall Back into League One
Walsall spent 12 years in the third tier of English football before their relegation this term. Clarke seems an almost perfect candidate to replace the previously sacked Dean Keates.
Walsall sacked Keates after a poor run of results, replacing him with Martin O’Connor in April. However, the Saddlers were unable to avoid relegation to League Two on the final day of the season.
Darrell Clarke
Clarke joined Rovers as assistant manager to John Ward in June 2013 after a stint in charge of non-league Salisbury City.
Clarke, who spent four and half years with the Gas, won back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One. He took the manager’s position at the Somerset club in March 2014 but was unable to keep them in League Two.
Despite a 94-year stay in the Football League ending, Clarke led his side back to the division at the first attempt. Then, his side won promotion to League One on the final day of the following season.
On his appointment, Clarke said: “The club have had a couple of disappointing seasons and we now find ourselves in League Two.
“I want to give these brilliant fans something to shout about.
“Put a smile on their faces and give them a team that will give their all for the club and the badge.
“I know all about the division we are in, I’ve had success at League Two level before and I want to bring the good times back.
“I will work tirelessly to achieve our shared goals.”
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