COCA-COLA LEAGUE ONE
Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen has bolstered his coaching staff by appointing John Schofield as first team coach.
The 43-year-old will be responsible for the day-to-day training and coaching of The Saddlers’ first team as well as the continued development of the club’s young professionals.
“I am delighted to have John on board,” said Mullen. “He is a young guy with a wealth of experience. He has experience of youth development and has also held a number of coaching and managerial positions. He is a welcome addition to the backroom staff and I’m looking forward to working with him.”
During his playing career, Schofield earned a reputation as a no-nonsense defender or midfielder and made over 500 professional appearances for the likes of Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Mansfield Town and Hull City.
After hanging up his boots in 1999, he was appointed youth team manager at Lincoln where he worked with the club’s youngsters across a range of age groups from under nines to under 19s for seven years.
He was then appointed head coach at Sincil Bank in 2006. His initial promising start however was rewarded when he signed a new two-year deal with the club in April 2006, while in June 2006 this was extended to three years and he was made manager. However, after a poor start to last season, Schofield was sacked in October after the Lincoln supporters turned him for being overly reliant on attacking football.
He joined Scunthorpe as first team coach until the end of last season and Schofield, who is studying for his Uefa Pro Licence, will begin his duties at Walsall on July 1.
