Walsall sack Jon Whitney as manager

Walsall sack Jon Whitney as manager of League One club

Jon Whitney first took charge of the Saddlers following Sean O'Driscoll's sacking on 7 March 2016
League One side Walsall have sacked manager Jon Whitney after two years in charge at the Banks's Stadium.

The Saddlers are 14th in the table, six points above the relegation places, having lost four times in five games.

Whitney, who first arrived at Walsall as physiotherapist in 2003, ends a 15-year association with the club.

Coach Ian Sharps takes temporary charge of first-team affairs, assisted by the vastly experienced John Ward, the club's professional development coach.

When he first took charge in March 2016, Whitney guided Walsall to third in League One and a play-off place, only to be beaten in the semi-finals by eventual winners Barnsley.

Having been appointed initially only on a caretaker basis, he was then offered the job on a more permanent basis that summer on a three-year deal.

But Walsall dropped back to 14th last season, which is where they are again this time round, 10 points shy of a play-off place.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat at second-placed Shrewsbury Town was their 10th away loss of the season.

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They've appointed a former player, Keates, as manager, who has been managing Wrexham.

I also see that Sven (yes the one that was kn*bbing Ulrika) is strongly rumoured to be announced as the new Oxford manager (Thai owner and Sven has several Thai connections).