Richard Money: Right time to leave Saddlers
Apr 22 2008
RICHARD Money believes his decision to resign as manager of Walsall is in the best interests of everyone concerned.
The Coca-Cola League One club made the announcement today, three days after the Saddlers’ hopes of reaching the play-offs were extinguished by a 3-1 home defeat against relegation-threatened Bournemouth.
Money, who became manager in May 2006 and guided the club to the League Two title in his first full season in charge, has blamed Walsall’s failure to secure a top-six finish on a threadbare and largely inexperienced squad.
He hinted last week he may quit if he did not receive ’assurances’ from the Saddlers’ board funds would be made available in the summer to address the problem.
Money was known to be frustrated following the sale of the club’s two best players - Scott Dann and Dan Fox - to Coventry in January, and angered further at not being able to replace them.
In a statement on the club’s official website,
www.saddlers.co.uk, Money said: “Looking to the future, I believe that this decision is in the best interests of both myself and the club.
“The timing of my departure will give the club the maximum opportunity to bring in a new manager, and to give him the chance to bring in his own players for next season.”
He added: “I am proud of what we have achieved over the past two years. Winning the League Two championship was a very special moment for me and keeping Walsall in contention for a League One play-off place for 44 games has been a tremendous achievement by everyone concerned.
“I need to thank a number of people, the chairman (Jeff Bonser) and board of directors for giving me the opportunity to manage the club and for their support.
“I would also like to thank my staff, particularly (football consultant) Paul Taylor, and the players for their loyalty, commitment and hard work. I would also like to thank the fans for their support, patience and understanding.
“Finally, I would like to wish Walsall Football Club every success for the future.”
Chairman Bonser paid tribute to the transformation Money oversaw during his time at the Banks’s Stadium.
“Richard came to the club at a very difficult time, when we had just been relegated to League Two and our playing fortunes were at a low ebb,” said Bonser.
“During these past two years, through a great deal of hard work, he has led the club to the League Two championship and to a position just outside the League One play-off positions, a very impressive achievement.
“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the work that Richard has undertaken for the club, and to wish him well for the future.”
Assistant manager Jimmy Mullen will take charge of the club’s remaining two matches this season against Huddersfield and Hartlepool.
