Former Newport County boss Michael Flynn is rumoured to be the favourite candidate for the vacant Walsall job, following the sacking of Matt Taylor last week.

Walsall are currently in pursuit of a new manager, after parting ways with Matt Taylor after just eight months in charge of the Saddlers, following their 1-0 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park.

According to the Express and Star, the name at the top of the Saddlers’ list is rumoured to be former Newport County chief Michael Flynn, who spent four and a half years at the Welsh side, and is believed to be in the running for the role.

In his first season at Newport, Flynn ensured that the Exiles miraculously avoided relegation, despite being eleven points adrift from safety at the time of his appointment as interim manager, finishing in 22^nd place in League Two.

Newport’s great escape under Flynn gifted him the permanent managerial job, as he oversaw his side reach the fifth round of the FA Cup in the 2018-2019 season, beating the likes of Leicester City and Middlesbrough, until seeing eventual defeat against Manchester City. In that same season, the Exiles made it to the play-off final, facing Tranmere Rovers at Wembley, though a last-minute goal in extra time from Connor Jennings denied the Welsh side promotion. Flynn took his side to Wembley once again in 2021, though a penalty kick from Morecambe in extra time prevented promotion once again.

The Welshman departed his childhood club on amicable terms on the 1^st of October 2021, after nearly five years of service to the Exiles, remaining clubless since his resignation, though this may not last much longer.

Flynn is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to take over the Saddlers, much to the delight of fans, with the likes of Dean Holden, Chris Beech and Graham Coughlan also reported to be interested.

The Verdict

The Saddlers, while sitting in eighteenth place, are only six points off the relegation zone, showing few signs of improvement under Matt Taylor in recent weeks, leading to his dismissal.

With Michael Flynn already proving his adeptness at rescuing struggling sides in League Two, Walsall supporters are extremely keen to potentially see the Welshman make the move to the West Midlands, with the 41-year-old previously ensuring that Newport County remained in the fourth tier, after sitting deep in the relegation zone.

With Michael Flynn being out of a job since his resignation in October, and the Saddlers in desperate need of change to escape relegation, a move to Walsall could be a match made in heaven for both sides.