Sadler Views Managerial Speculation as Inherent to Football

Mat Sadler has accumulated 36 wins and 25 losses across his 82 matches managing Walsall. The club’s head coach, Mat Sadler, commented that rumors connecting him to other teams are “just part of football,” and he is “very aware” of his responsibilities at the Poundland Bescot Stadium. This season, Sadler has led Walsall to the top position in League Two. Their recent 1-0 victory over Barrow extended their advantage to four points over Port Vale, who are currently in second place. The impressive performance of The Saddlers has resulted in the 39-year-old being mentioned in certain reports as a potential candidate for open managerial positions at Championship team Millwall and League One club Northampton Town. However, Sadler stated that he is largely disregarding these discussions. “I think that’s just part of football, people talk,” Sadler communicated to BBC Radio WM. “We’ve got a hell of a job to do here and I’m really enjoying it, that’s the main thing.” He continued, “People do well and other things get said about them – that’s the case and I hope that’s the case for my players too. But it’s just part of it. For me, I’m very aware of the job I’ve got to do here.” Sadler assumed the role of Walsall boss in May 2023, succeeding Michael Flynn. In his inaugural season, he guided the club to an 11th-place finish, missing the play-offs by five points. This current season, The Saddlers are spearheading the push for promotion, sitting atop the league standings with 40 points, having secured 12 wins and suffered only three defeats in their 19 matches. Their ongoing 10-game unbeaten streak ensures they will hold the leading position at Christmas, preceding upcoming matches against Doncaster Rovers, Newport County, and Notts County during the holiday and New Year season. “I say, ‘it’s all about the next one’ and I don’t really care in some sense about what’s gone before but clearly I do because it’s picked us up points,” Sadler further stated. “But I don’t think it has a bearing on the next thing.” He continued, “We won’t be getting promoted at Christmas – that doesn’t happen and I’ll keep batting that back. Forty points doesn’t get you promoted.” Sadler concluded, “We’ve got a lot of work to do and we’ve done all right to get to where we are now and we’ve just got to keep working.”