Walsall name ex-Huddersfield boss Grant head coach

Walsall have appointed former Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant as the club's new head coach.

Grant, 43, has signed a three-year contract at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.

He replaces former Saddlers striker Darren Byfield, who had been given the interim job until the end of the season following the sacking of Mat Sadler in March.

Walsall finished the League Two season in 13th place, 13 points outside the play-offs, having been top of the table at Christmas.

"I'm super delighted and proud to be the new head coach," said Grant, who was sacked by the Terriers in January after eight months in charge.

"The teams I've been involved in have scored lots of goals and there's been a good development of players and 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."

After three years on the coaching staff at Ipswich Town, former goalkeeper Grant was appointed Huddersfield boss in May 2025, his first senior management job.

But he left just eight months into a three-year deal, despite the club sitting sixth in League One at the time.