Darren Byfield isn't losing any sleep over his future at Walsall. The interim head coach, appointed in March after taking over from Mat Sadler, is keeping a cool head about whether he'll be leading the Saddlers into next season.

"What will be, will be," Byfield told BBC Radio WM, reflecting a calm confidence that's served him well since stepping into the role. The former Walsall striker—who knows the club inside out—made it clear the board understands just how much this team means to him. "They know how close the club is to my heart," he said.

Byfield's tenure started with a bang: an impressive five-game unbeaten run that had fans dreaming of a late push for the League Two play-offs. But the momentum couldn't carry them all the way. Walsall finished 13th, well off the pace from the top seven, leaving a bitter taste after such a promising start.

"It didn't go how we wanted it to," Byfield admitted. "We're not happy. We're better than that, and we've got to get Walsall back to where we belong."

The Saddlers have been here before. Just last season, they were flying high, leading the division in December before a heartbreaking defeat in the play-off final. This year's disappointment stings even more, especially after watching champions Bromley celebrate promotion on the final day. Byfield used that moment as fuel.

"This is what we want. This is what we need at our football club," he said. "It's going to take from pre-season day one. These boys need to be challenged to be the best they can be. When you do that, and it becomes a collective effort, all that success will follow."

For Byfield, the focus isn't on his own job security—it's on building a team that can compete. "We fell short, and we can't afford that to happen again. This team has to be fighting for promotion. We need consistency, a mentality shift, and that starts now."

Whether he's the man to lead that charge remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure: Byfield's heart is in Walsall, and he's ready for whatever comes next.