39-year-old Davies spent twenty-five years at the Racecourse Ground, starting out as a schoolboy and being offered a scholarship at 16. He turned his hand to coaching and held roles as Youth Team Coach and Centre of Excellence Manager before being promoted to Keates’ number two in October 2016.
Under the pair’s guidance, Wrexham lost only six of 37 league matches this season, conceding a league-low 28 goals and keeping a club-record 20 clean sheets. Following Keates' departure to the Saddlers in March, Davies was placed in charge of the Dragons until the end of the 2017/18 season.
But, in an interview released via the club's official website - Saddlers.co.uk - he admitted the opportunity to work again with Keates – and join a League One club – was simply too good to refuse, he said; "I’m delighted to be here. Dean asked me to come and join and I was more than delighted to do that. I’ve worked with him as a player, as a coach and as a manager as well. I know what he’s about and what he brings to a club from a management point of view.
"It was difficult, but that pull of working with Dean again was massive. I wanted to do that and everybody wants to challenge themselves and I’m coming into a League One club. The opportunity to come to Walsall and League One, and to work with Dean again, was one I couldn’t turn down."
Andy then went on to discuss what his role will entail, he continued; "Assisting Dean with day-to-day management and being on the pitch, which is where I like to be. Being on the grass and coaching is what I enjoy doing. It’s about making sure we put a team out on the pitch to represent the fans and represent the club in the right way. My job will be on the grass and working day-to-day with the players."