Walsall appoint Mairs as head of football

Walsall have appointed former AFC Fylde director of football Stewart Mairs as the club's new head of football.

Mairs will lead the Saddlers' day-to-day football operations involving the men's first team and academy.

He will also oversee player recruitment and the medical and performance departments as well as providing "strategic leadership across the club's football structure".

Maris arrives at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium with more than 20 years' experience in the football industry having spent eight years with Major Soccer League (MLS) side DC United, becoming the club's technical director in 2019.

He was also involved on a technical and analytical basis with the US women's team during their gold-medal winning run at the London Olympics in 2012 and the World Cup in 2015.

• Walsall boss Byfield apologises for 'worst' display
• Byfield puts own future aside during play-off bid
• Byfield to keep knocking on door for black bosses

Mairs said there was "plenty to do on the footballing side" in his role and that work had already started on "a number of key priorities, as we aim to finish this season strong and build towards next year".

"There is a good foundation in place for us to develop and I am confident that I can add value across the various departments to help kick us on to the next level," he added.

Walsall chief executive Ben Sadler said Mairs was "another key leader" added to the club whose "strong level of skill and experience" would "help move the club forwards".

After leading the League Two table in December, Walsall's bid to clinch a play-off place this season ended following their home defeat by Cheltenham on Saturday, and Chesterfield's win over Grimsby Town on Tuesday.

The long-term future of head coach Darren Byfield is also to be determined with the club's former striker appointed until the end of the season in March after initially stepping up to replace Mat Sadler on an interim basis.