The appointment of Jamie Fullarton as Walsall‘s new technical director will bring stability and continuity, says chairman Leigh Pomlett.
Fullarton, 46, has been handed the role of heading up recruitment of key personnel in conjunction with the board of directors.
He arrives following a spell as head of emerging talent with Premier League side Crystal Palace.
Fullarton has also worked as a manager and as a coach with Halifax and Notts County, as well as at under-21 level with Bolton Wanderers, Palace and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking on the club’s official channels, Pomlett said: “This is about improving the club in its entirety from a football perspective.
“He is a member of the board, which is unusual, and he will have the responsibility for improving everything in the football club from start to finish and allowing Brian (Dutton) to concentrate on managing the first team performance.
“It’s an important distinction. Jamie will be there to support Brian, challenge him in his decision making, help him in his decision making and help him with the first team, but his remit goes way beyond that.
“It goes to the style of football we play, the recruitment of the players and helping Brian with that.”
Walsall eased any lingering relegation fears with a 1-0 win over Tranmere last week.
They aren’t even being offered in the market for the drop by all betting sites following that crucial success. Southend and Grimsby remain the odds-on favourites for the drop with time running out.
Despite that much-needed victory, Pomlett still wants more direction moving forwards, and hopes Fullarton’s role will bring it.
“It’s very important that you manage the risks around a football club,” he added.
“You do not allow one individual to come in one day and decide he wants to go somewhere else and the whole club is thrown into turmoil.
“Jamie coming in will give us continuity and stability in the football club. Managers come, managers go. Technical directors, hopefully, do not.
Pomlett also reassured fans that Fullarton won’t step on the toes of first team coach Brian Dutton.
“People ask me who will choose the team,” he said. “The answer is Brian. Unequivocally, the answer is Brian Dutton will choose the first team and Jamie will be there to support him, to make sure the decisions that are made are challenged and they are correct.
“We all need healthy challenge, whether it is me or whether it is Brian Dutton.”
Speaking on his appointment to the role, Fullarton told the club’s website: “I am thoroughly delighted to be a part of the club moving forward in what is the technical director’s role, a role that is becoming very popular and essential for football clubs.
“Ultimately, I am there to provide support for the head coach in all aspects, in whatever shape or form, to help him and the team be successful short term, every Saturday, whilst helping the club build an infrastructure that enables continued success and provides alignment throughout the football department.”
