Dean Smith is the current Manager of Walsall FC having been appointed to the job in January of 2011. Smith is an experienced coach but this is his first step as a manager in what is a tough job at this level. Walsall avoided relegaion from League One in 2011/12 but bounced back last season with an impressive 8th place finish.
Smith has been a manager of a short period of time but he did have a decent career as a player in the lower leagues. He was a well respected defender who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale, Leyton Orient, Hereford and Walsall who he now manages of course.
Smith spent a good amount of time as a coach at Leyton Orient before returning to Walsall as Head of Youth back in 2009. Smith took over the hot seat at the Bescott Stadium in 2011 after Chris Hutchings was dismissed following a poor run of results.
Smith led Walsall out of the relegation zone after taking over the reigns which was no mean feat. The Saddlers had looked like certainties for relegation when Smith took over the Managers job and he impressed everyone with the way he handled the pressure of a relegation battle. Last season he led the club to 8th in the table and they will no doubt have one eye on the play-offs next season.
Dean Smth did a very good job last season after leading Wasall to 8th in the table. Considering that they started the campaign as one of the favourites for the drop this is a fantastic achievement and he will look for another top half of the table finish next year.
