Port Vale are already on the lookout for a new manager after the club announced via club media that manager Andy Crosby had been relieved of his duties on Monday night.
Crosby was announced as the club’s permanent manager in the summer of 2023 but now leaves his position after less than a year in charge. It is not just Crosby who will be leaving the club, but also assistant manager John Schofield.
The 50-year-old has previously served as both an assistant manager as well as interim manager with the club prior to taking the permanent role in June of last year. In his three years with the club, Crosby would play a part in helping the Valiants get to the third tier having won the 2021/22 League One Play-Off Final as Darrell Clarke’s number two.
Having started the current season in flying form, Port Vale have struggled as of late and have gradually slipped down the third tier table. That is what has ultimately cost Crosby his job.
Now sat precariously above the relegation zone in 20th, just two points ahead of 21st-placed Reading, the club have decided that now is the time for change. With just one point from their last four games which would also see them lose to the bottom two teams in the league, Carlisle United and Fleetwood Town, it isn’t too much of a surprise to see Crosby lose his job.
With plenty of good managerial options out their currently, the Valiants may choose to act quickly and may well have a new face in the building within the next week. The club have already confirmed that the process for finding a new manager “has already begun”, but no details of whom the club are interested in have emerged as of yet.
A statement on the club’s official website, reads.
Port Vale Football Club has today relieved Andy Crosby of his duties as first-team manager. John Schofield will also leave his position as assistant manager.
Andy joined the Valiants as assistant manager in March 2021 and became permanent manager in June 2023.
Andy’s three years at Vale Park included his part in our promotion to League One and two separate instances as interim manager.
We’d like to thank both Andy and John for the time they have spent at Vale Park and would like to wish them all of the best with their future careers.
The search for our new manager has already begun.
Writer’s View
Time seemed to be quickly running out for Crosby and a 3-0 loss to then-bottom of the table Fleetwood would be the final nail in the coffin. The Valiants are in a tricky position currently and given their recent form compared to the teams around them, could well move into the bottom-four in the coming weeks.
The next managerial appointment is vital to the club’s future and getting it right will no doubt be the difference between playing in the third or fourth tier next season. An experienced name is most likely needed and Vale seem to be acting quickly to address their current vacant position. Crosby’s next step is very much up in the air, but he does probably deserve another shot at taking charge of an EFL club.
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