Walsall Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Flynn as our new Head Coach on a contract until 2024.
The 41-year-old previously spent four-and-a-half years as manager of fellow Sky Bet League Two side Newport County where he guided them to two play-off finals during his tenure.
After taking over in a caretaker capacity in March 2017, Flynn guided the Exiles to safety despite being 11 points adrift when he took charge.
He was confirmed as Newport’s permanent manager in May 2017.
Newport progressed in the 2017-18 season under Flynn’s stewardship, finishing 11th but they also reached the fourth round of the FA Cup where they earned a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur before they bowed out in a replay.
They made further improvements the following season as they finished seventh and went on to reach the play-off final but fell to a 1-0 defeat in extra time against Tranmere Rovers.
They enjoyed another cup run that year, this time advancing to the fifth round where they went toe-to-toe with Manchester City.
In 2020-21, Newport once again qualified for the play-offs after an impressive fifth place finish but just missed out on promotion after a defeat in extra time to Morecambe.
He left the South Wales club in October 2021.
Flynn also enjoyed a 17 year playing career that spanned 425 appearances for the likes of Newport, Bradford City, Blackpool, Wigan Athletic, Gillingham and Huddersfield Town.
Flynn is excited to be the new Head Coach of Walsall and is looking forward to getting started.
"I can’t wait to get going,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic football club, I remember playing against them many years ago, Paul Merson was in charge so that does go back a while.
“It is a club that wants to go in the right direction and that was key for me.
“I am bringing in togetherness. Every single team that I have been a part of, there has been a real togetherness.
“I am going to make sure that that is throughout the football club.
“I know Jamie (Fullarton) is really big on that, and again that was one of the principles that I was really impressed with so I can’t speak highly enough of him on that.
“We have a very vocal group of supporters and we want to try and get more feet inside the stand on match days and we can only do that by winning games.
“I am sure that with them behind us and with everyone pulling in the right direction, we will have a good end to the season."
Walsall Chairman Leigh Pomlett added: “I’m delighted to bring in someone of Michael’s ambition and experience to the football club.
“His experience having managed at this level of football will be invaluable and I now expect us to stabilise and climb the table.”
We can also now confirm that Neil McDonald has left the club.
We would like to thank Neil for his efforts during his time at the Banks’s Stadium and wish him well for the future.
An announcement on a replacement for Neil will be made in due course.
A press conference with the new Head Coach will be held on Thursday 17th February at 2pm.