Walsall have kicked off a new chapter, officially naming Lee Grant as their manager on a three-year deal. The 41-year-old takes the reins at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, bringing a wealth of experience from his playing days and recent coaching roles.

The Saddlers endured a turbulent 2025/26 season. After starting the campaign under Mat Sadler, the club made a change in March, with Darren Byfield stepping in as caretaker for the final stretch. Despite a late push, Walsall settled for a 13th-place finish in League Two, falling 13 points short of the play-off spots.

Grant, who described himself as "delighted and proud" to take the role, is no stranger to the dugout. His previous stint at Huddersfield Town saw him guide the Terriers to sixth in League One before his departure in January—a position that eventually slipped to ninth by season's end. Before that, he honed his craft at Ipswich Town, where he earned plaudits for developing young talent and orchestrating attacking football.

"I feel fortunate to have had the journey that I've had," Grant said. "I've worked with some top professionals across a long playing career, and I've had the experiences and exposure in three different leagues with Ipswich and Huddersfield. These experiences have helped shape me into the coach I am today."

He added: "The teams I've been involved in have scored lots of goals, and there's been a good development of players. My ideas around that are strong. It's going to be a busy period for myself and the club, but I'm really excited to get going, help the football club progress, and I very much look forward to getting to work."

For Walsall fans, this appointment signals a fresh start—and a focus on building an exciting, goal-scoring identity. As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how Grant translates his vision into results on the pitch.