The inevitable news that Darren Moore has been relieved of his duties following a 5-0 hammering against his previous club Huddersfield Town arrived on Sunday.
This result, alongside others see the club currently sit bottom of the league with just 15 points recorded in the past 21 games as relegation is looking destined after such a redemption last season.
After experiencing relegation with the club in his first season at the club, Moore was determined to build a project with the team and forge a connection with the fans, despite having limited games to work with when he joined the club.
Almost the perfect beginning for the man at the helm; Moore managed to maintain a ten-game unbeaten run early into the season with them touching first place.
However, after a couple of setbacks denied them a consistent place at the top of the league as they fell further down into the play-offs.
But, after managing to gain consistency and get back on track, the club were brought into a vital second half of the season as they managed to get over the line on the second last game of the season against AFC Wimbledon winning 0-2 and achieving automatic promotion back into League One.
This achievement was massively helped with their three back to back wins against promotion contenders Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City and Walsall as they clinched promotion.
After the disaster last time out, the board and Moore knew not to repeat their previous mistakes, as their squad looked stronger than ever before with fans supporting them in every game, hopes were high and expectations were set.
It wasn’t the prettiest start to the season with glimpses of open gaps showing in results, performances were positive, and surprises such as a win in the cup against Birmingham City, and wins against strong teams in their league lifted them further up the league table.
On the 27th September, they managed to beat Barnsley 0-2 as they were at the highest place of the season, edging near the playoffs, and they seemed like they were building a stronger team.
Starting to drop in results, supporters and the boardroom were still very supportive of the manager, who they would once again get back on track, and get the engine running again.
However, patience was dropping after further losses followed.
It was clear that the back room still remained positive, and full trust in Darren was given from the board despite frustrations from supporters.
Dropping into the relegation zone, their home game against Plymouth Argyle was vital after heavy defeats against Stockport County 0-3, and Bolton Wanderers losing 4-0, as this was the perfect chance to turn it back around.
Things didn’t go to plan as the away side gained the points, and further turmoil went the Valiants way as they dropped further into the relegation zone and time was running out.
Despite a Round of 16 win against Barnsley 5-0, and a second round victory against Bristol Rovers, the league performances weren’t improving, and further turmoil surrounded them as they looked destined for relegation.
The nail in the coffin landed on Boxing Day with a 5-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town, and with no wins in the league since September, Darren Moore was relieved of his duties
With the surprising shock of form that the Valiants have encountered this season, ending up at the bottom of the League One table with just 14 points in 18 games.
Therefore, with the vital job on their hands of getting their next appointment correct, Carol and the board have a huge job on their hands to turn the club around and get their engine running once again.
Here our a few options they could explore.
The ex-Northampton Town manager could be the perfect redemption for the Valiants after their horror show this season, however brings a risk into whether this would be successful.
Jon Brady started his managerial career at Brackley Town in 2009, until 2015 with a huge six-year stint at the club gaining plenty of experience at the start of his career.
Afterwards, he decided to join the academy of Northampton Town in 2016, working his way up the ranks as the vital opportunity came to him on the 10th February 2021 when Keith Curle was sacked, as he temporarily took over as caretaker manager.
After this, on the 4th March 2021, he was given the chance to be the manager of the club until the end of the season.
Furthermore, although the Cobblers lost their penultimate game of the season against Blackpool losing 3-0 and being relegated to League Two, he was appointed as the permanent manager of the club in May 2021.
The first season under his belt seemed perfect after a glimpse away from immediate promotion.
However, devastation occurred on the final day after being edged out of the automatic promotion places due to goal difference after a magical moment landed to Bristol Rovers beating Scunthorpe United 7-0 meaning they beat Northampton Town on goal difference leading them to fight in the play-offs.
After eventually being beaten by Mansfield Town in semi-finals, he knew that he had to take his chance in the second season, and did this in superb style as Brady managed to gain automatic promotion back to League One.
One in 2022-23 and was also awarded the League Two manager of the month in March.
Another successful season landed following their promotion, and they renewed his contract on the 19th January 2024 after being 9th in League One.
However, his reign finally ended on the following season in December as his resignation was accepted after a poor run of results.
Bringing in tactical flexibility, player empowerment and a strong team environment, this could give Port Vale the perfect redemption and turn their season around, finally regaining their connection and momentum with the correct appointment of Jon Brady
Since being sacked by newly relegated League One club Luton Town on the 6th October following a 2-0 loss against Stevenage, Matt Bloomfield has become a free agent.
Arguably, this could be a huge opportunity for the Valiants to take advantage of if they decide to persuade the ex-Luton manager to join.
Starting off at Wycombe Wanderers in 2023, Matt took over from Gareth Ainsworth, who earned himself a move into becoming the new boss at Queens Park Rangers, leading Wycombe into a return reign with their new manager.
After leading the Chairboys into an average season in 2023-24, his first major stint arrived at the beginning of the 2024-25 season with a blistering start to the new campaign, winning the EFL League One Manager of the Month in October 2024 after bringing the club into an automatic place.
Furthermore, he then doubled his achievement after winning a further four games from four, before jumping ship to join the Championship side at the time Luton Town on January 14th 2025.
Despite having no success at Luton, it is clear that the flexible, modern, and possession-based football would be no surprise towards the Valiants due to Bloomfields’ high win percentage that he has carried into his managerial career.
After being sacked by EFL Championship side Oxford United this month after a poor run of results, and being 22nd in the league, here is another excellent candidate that the League One club could aim for if they wish to stay in the division.
The experienced manager started at Burton Albion in 2012, and had a successful two seasons, however lost in the play-off final against Fleetwood Town 1-0 and was denied the opportunity to gain promotion with the club.
Taking the chance to make progress in his career, Gary joined Birmingham City on the 27th October 2014, and lifted the club from 21st to 10th completely transforming the club into a lighter spark and receiving plenty of credit.
Unfortunately, he was sacked in December 2016 after a change of ownership and backroom with their intentions shifting somewhere else.
It wasn’t long before he gained another opportunity at Derby County on the 14th March 2017, as he led the club into a 9th position in the first season.
The closest glimpse of promotion with the Rams was a play-off semi final against Fulham, which was ended after a tense 2-1 defeat on aggregate despite winning the first leg.
Jumping ship for newly relegated club Stoke City, Rowett was given the chance to have a huge transfer window with the Potters as the intention was to get them back on form and high-flying again.
However, the results at the beginning of the season juxtaposed their objectives after winning just two games from ten.
Struggling to stay consistent, and finding further issues and difficulties with the club, his contract was terminated on the 8th January 2019 with little progress.
Further managerial spells landed at Millwall, a second spell at Birmingham, and finally Oxford United in 2024 after the departure of Des Buckingham who gained promotion with the club in the previous season.
Having an immediate impact on Oxford and maintaining an unbeaten run of six games, he was handed the EFL Manager of the Month in January 2025 and safely led them to safety in the first season back to the championship.
Recently being sacked after struggling in the relegation zone, his next opportunity could be in the division below and decide to take on the difficult challenge to lift the Valiants into safety like his previous successes.
The pure focus on results, and counter-attacking perfectly suits Port Vale, as their pure priority is points on the tally, and uninspiring football might not be their target if results start to pick up rather than their current slump.
Another experienced manager who is possible of turning Vale’s season around.
Starting his managerial career at Wycombe Wanderers as a caretaker manager on the 24th September 2012, after the club picked up just four points from seven games, Gareth Ainsworth managed to lift them out of the relegation zone under his influence.
These results meant that the manager was appointed permanently on the 8th November 2012, just two months after becoming caretaker manager.
After this, in December, he managed to win ten points out of 15 games, and went further away from the drop as he started to lead the club to success.
Following this, in April 2013, the huge announcement arrived where he retired as a player, and signed a 2-year deal with Wycombe Wanderers.
Having a huge eleven-year stint with the club, Ainsworth got the club to the League Two play off final in 2014-15, achieved automatic promotion to League One in 2017-18.
Furthermore, the manager also achieved promotion to the EFL Championship in 2019-20 in the play-off final against Oxford United which saw him become one of their most successful managers in the history of the club.
Deciding to leave Wycombe Wanderers on the 21st February, he switched clubs to join Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half-year deal, and ended the 2022-23 season in 20th place with the club.
After another disappointing start to the following season, he was sacked on the 28th October following a 6th consecutive defeat, leaving the club second bottom.
Ainsworth then decided to join Shrewsbury Town FC on the 13th November 2024, winning just 5 games out of his 22 in charge of the club leading them to go bottom of League One with 14 points from safety.
With nine games left to play, Ainsworth decided to leave the club despite a two-year offer on the cards, as he decided to join Gillingham in March of 2025, to the controversy of some.
Finishing the season strongly, it was clear they had high hopes in this season’s campaign starting brilliantly gaining 14 points, and going six games unbeaten.
Ainsworth won Manager of the Month, however, after undergoing cardiac surgery, the manager missed several games.
But, he started to remain back in charge from the 8th November, watching the game from the commentary gantry, witnessing his team become victorious at Bristol Rovers winning 0-1.
Another option that Port Vale could go for, however, they would have to offer money to Gillingham for his clause, it would be a risky option.
Bringing in an attacking mindset, with an aggressive high press, could the Valiants be persuaded in the attempt to make a fairy tale with the former player?
