As the Saddlers continue their search for a new first-team manager, former Walsall striker David Kelly has seen his odds cut from 25/1 to 5/2, joining current Caretaker manager John Ward as joint favourite to take over the reins from Dean Smith, who joined Brentford early next week.
Kelly, who spent a brief period as Assistant to Dean Smith in early 2013, is currently Assistant Manager to former Saddler Mark Robins at fellow Sky Bet League 1 outfit Scunthorpe United.
The 50-year-old, Birmingham born former Republic of Ireland International began his playing career at Walsall in 1983, and made over 150 club appearances scoring more than sixty goals for the Saddlers, including a hat-trick in the crucial 1987/88 final play-off game against Bristol City which clinched promotion. After five years at Fellows Park Kelly was snapped up by West Ham United for a fee of around £600,000.
Kelly went on to make over 600 professional appearances scoring nearly 200 goal in the process and after calling time on an illustrious career that also saw him turn out for Leicester City, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield United and Motherwell, amongst others, Ned became a coach.
He has gained plenty of coaching experience with Sheffield United, Preston North End, Derby County and twice with Nottingham Forest, where he also worked as an assistant manager for Billy Davies. In October 2014, Kelly was appointed as new assistant manager to Mark Robins at Scunthorpe United, a position he has remained in ever since.
The 50-year-old, Birmingham born former Republic of Ireland International began his playing career at Walsall in 1983, and made over 150 club appearances scoring more than sixty goals for the Saddlers, including a hat-trick in the crucial 1987/88 final play-off game against Bristol City which clinched promotion. After five years at Fellows Park Kelly was snapped up by West Ham United for a fee of around £600,000.
Kelly went on to make over 600 professional appearances scoring nearly 200 goal in the process and after calling time on an illustrious career that also saw him turn out for Leicester City, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield United and Motherwell, amongst others, Ned became a coach.
He has gained plenty of coaching experience with Sheffield United, Preston North End, Derby County and twice with Nottingham Forest, where he also worked as an assistant manager for Billy Davies. In October 2014, Kelly was appointed as new assistant manager to Mark Robins at Scunthorpe United, a position he has remained in ever since.
SOURCE | BETVICTOR