Walsall have confirmed that assistant head coach Gary Waddock has left his role at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, with Terry Connor returning in his place.Waddock, who joined Mat Sadler's backroom set-up in June 2023, had only recently returned to the dugout after undergoing ankle surgery in September last year but has now moved on to become the new manager of National League side Wealdstone.
With Chris Powell briefly replacing Waddock, Terry Connor joined the coaching team on an interim basis in November and had a positive influence on the squad, bringing a wealth of experience gained from his extensive playing and coaching career.
A striker by trade, Connor made almost four-hundred professional appearances, playing for the likes of Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Portsmouth, Swansea City, Bristol City, and Yeovil Town before hanging up his boots in 1994.
After short-term coaching roles at Swindon Town, Bristol Rovers, and Bristol City, Connor moved to Wolves in 1999, alongside former Walsall coach John Ward, where he would take various positions.
Becoming Mick McCarthy’s assistant manager in 2008, the duo oversaw promotion to the Premier League, with Terry ultimately being names manager in February 2012 after McCarthy’s dismissal.
After leaving Molineux Connor went on to take up further roles at the likes of Ipswich Town, the Republic of Ireland, APOEL Nicosia, Cardiff City, and Blackpool before taking charge of Grenada.
He returned to England in January 2025 and enjoyed further stints at Dagenham & Redbridge and Solihull Moors before his move back to the Black Country.
Speaking via the clu's official wesbite, Mat Sadler wished Gary all the best for the future, he said: "Gary has been a fantastic support to me during his time at the club, he's a thoroughly experienced coach and manager and someone I have the upmost respect for.
"Since he came into the building, Gary has always expressed to me that he would like one more crack at it and this is his moment to do so and put his own style and practices in place at Wealdstone, a team who are fighting and doing well in the National League.
"He most certainly goes with our best wishes and I thank him for everything he has done for us during his years at the club."