Yesterday, Matt Taylor was announced as the new Walsall Head Coach, with Neil McDonald as his assistant. It has been widely greeted as a positive move for the club. It will provide a balance, with a young, hungry, talented coach as the figurehead, with an experienced assistant to help guide him. Not only will Taylor have the help of his No2, but also Jamie Fullarton, who will be doing all he can to help Taylor get the best possible squad.
Coaching
All three named above have built their non-playing reputation on improving players. Taylor has been nurturing some of the best young talent in the country at Spurs, and he wouldn’t have been hired, or stayed their if he wasn’t doing something right. He will have in depth knowledge of the youth systems, and the players coming through several clubs all over the country. Added to the knowledge Fullarton has in younger talent too, and this fits perfectly.
McDonald has experience working and coaching players all across the Premier League and EFL, and will add a bit of ‘old school knowledge’ to the mix. He brings a lot to the table, and this cannot be understated.
Reputation
Taylor has a great reputation as a player, and although this does not always transcend into management and coaching, being picked up by Spurs is not exactly a bad way to start out. His reputation will be key in recruiting new players this summer. But once again we go back to the rest of the setup, and how as a whole, it will be an attractive prospect.
Fullarton and McDonald will be the type of backroom that will also be a big selling point to the club. Both are vastly experienced, and both have been in coaching long enough to have earnt their good reputations.
With all three working together, and Fullarton saying that a shared vision was a big reason for hiring them, they will provide an attractive proposition for a player who is looking for a new club. It is a statement that Walsall are building as a club once again.
Recruitment
This has already been touched on throughout, but having this blend of management points towards coaching and developing player, rather than searching for the finished article. In League Two, this is a necessity, as clubs cannot afford to buy players in who are good all rounders.
The appointment also points once again to developing youngsters, or signing younger, talented players that need a home. This could provide a shrewd business model, and one that could see players such as Adebayo and Jules coming in, and being sold for a healthy profit.
On a personal note, I am happy with the appointment. I feel that the club have taken a calculated risk, and one that could easily pay off. Getting McDonald in alongside Taylor has been a fantastic appointment too. Having worked with the likes of Allardyce and others, he has experienced some top management, and that will be vital for Walsall.
