The Express And Star have today announced that former Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Michael Oakes has today joined Dean Keates backroom staff as our new goalkeeping coach.
Oakes becomes the second coach to leave Wrexham and join former boss Dean Keates at Walsall following Andy Davies decision to leave the Welsh club.
We revealed on Monday that Oakes had left the Welsh side and today it has finally been confirmed.
The 44-year-old is no stranger to the Midlands having started his career at Aston Villa and playing the majority of his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Oakes played over two hundred and eighty times during his career and sampled life in the Premier League whilst with Wolves.
Oakes had been goalkeeping coach at Wrexham from 2008 until 2015 and then rejoined the club last season.
Michael Oakes replaces the outgoing Steve Hale who was interim coach until the end of the season.
Wrexham boss Sam Ricketts had this to say this on Monday following the exit of Oakes
“I met up with Michael, he loved the club and loved his time here” “He has only gone because it is an opportunity to work in League One.”
“I wish him all the best. He had that opportunity and I couldn’t make him stay.”
Sam Ricketts – Wrexham Manager
One of the first jobs for Oakes will be to continue to nurture Liam Roberts who is becoming one of our best prospects over the past few years.
Everyone at Vital Walsall welcomes Michael Oakes to the club.
