DARREN Moore has expressed his delight at making a quick return to management with Port Vale – and believes he is ‘perfectly aligned’ with the club’s long-term ambitions.
The 49-year-old was axed by Championship strugglers Huddersfield just under three weeks ago. He won just three of his 23 matches at the helm in all competitions after replacing Neil Warnock at the Terriers in September.
Some may have felt Moore – who won promotion from League One with Sheffield Wednesday via the play-offs last term before departing soon after – would have wanted to take a breather after that bruising experience, but he has decided to jump straight back in.
Aspirations
He replaces the sacked Andy Crosby and his short-term task will be to lift the Valiants out of the relegation zone. However, he has signed a five-and-a-halfyear contract and is more than happy to be working on a longterm project.
“When speaking to Carol (Shanahan, co-owner and chair), Dave (Flitcroft, director of football) and the club’s board, it’s clear that Port Vale FC and I are perfectly aligned with our long-term aspirations both on and off the pitch,” said Moore, who began his tenure with a trip to relegation rivals Cheltenham yesterday.
“Our immediate aim is securing the club’s League One status between now and the end of this season whilst putting the foundations in place to create a clear footballing identity.
“The contract is a longterm commitment from both myself and Port Vale FC. It’s a testament to the long-term vision of the club and a vision that we as a collective from myself, the supporters, the club staff and the players are all striving towards.
“I am absolutely delighted to be here and I am thoroughly excited to get going.”
Shanahan and Flitcroft both believe the club have
