Former Walsall development coach and head coach Brian Dutton has issued a statement thanking all the club's players, staff, and fans for their support during his time at the club.
Dutton, who was relieved of his duties shortly after the 2020/21 season came to an end, went on to praise the club's chief executive Stefan Gamble and chairman Leigh Pomlett before discussing the ups and downs of management.
Dutton, who replaced now Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke at the helm, was able to lead the team to safety but was ultimately unable to retain his job as Pomlett opted for change ahead of what will be a busy summer in WS1.
Released via the League Managers' Association's official website, Brian's statement reads; "I would like to thank all of the Walsall players, staff, and fans for their support and efforts over the past two years but particularly over the last three months.
"I am grateful to Leigh Pomlett and Stefan Gamble for giving me the opportunity to step in and become manager of this great football club. I took on this challenge because I believed I could make a positive difference.
"The past twelve weeks have been an incredible experience for me. It truly is a 24/7 job full of such great highs and lows.
"The greatest part of the job is the connections you make at the football club, including wonderful people, from the receptionists and stewards all the way through to the Chairman. Interactions with like-minded, passionate people, all striving for the same goal.
"Also, being able to connect the academy with the first team and support the pathway for young local talent to thrive provided me with ultimate job satisfaction.
"I took great pleasure in watching the academy players from u9 to u18’s train, forecasting who might be good enough in the years to come to make a difference at first-team level.
"I am proud to have taken on the challenge of managing one of the youngest squads in the EFL.
"Credit to the staff and players for the way they have approached every game and improved as the season progressed.
"In the last months of the season, we were competitive in every game, we conceded fewer goals and earned more clean sheets.
"I’m confident that with this experience, the team will be better prepared next year to compete with the best teams in the league.
"I’d like to wish Walsall Football Club the very best in the future and I now look forward to my next challenge."
We would like to wish Brian all the best as he looks to return to the game he so clearly loves.