Walsall fire Sean O'Driscoll following a bad run of results
Sunday 6 March 2016 14:49, UK
Walsall head coach Sean O'Driscoll has been sacked as the Saddlers look to re-ignite their stuttering promotion push.
O'Driscoll only took charge of the Sky Bet League 1 side in December, following Dean Smith's departure for Brentford, but has paid the price for a run of six games without a win.
Walsall are still fourth in the table but have slipped five points adrift of the automatic promotion places following Saturday's 3-1 loss at home to Barnsley, and they are yet to win at home this year.
The club's chief executive Stefan Gamble said: "On behalf of the Board, we thank Sean for his time, effort and dedication during his short spell at the club and wish him well for the future."
O'Driscoll said: "I am extremely disappointed for the players. Their performances over the past month have not gained the points they deserved.
"This is a different phase of the season and, as we have repeatedly seen, teams have recognised the team's strengths from the first half of the campaign and prepared to counter that when facing us.
"But the players deserve enormous credit for adapting, finding different ways to play, and maintaining their performance levels even, at times, in the face of frustration and disappointment.
"They are a close group whose success so far has been built on the trust, understanding and respect among them. I wish them the best for the rest of the season."
Formerly in charge at Bournemouth, Doncaster, Crawley, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, O'Driscoll managed Walsall for 16 games, winning six, drawing five and losing five.
Walsall travel to Chesterfield in their next fixture on Saturday.
Sky Bet's next Walsall manager odds
Jon Whitney is the early 7/4 favourite with Sky Bet to be the next full-time manager of Walsall. Mansfield boss Adam Murray follows in the odds at 9/2 and former Bristol Rovers chief John Ward is on offer at 6/1.
All odds correct at 1430 GMT on 06/03/16.
