Vale owner: two new manager candidates, no player contracts agreed
Port Vale Chairman Norman Smurthwaite has tweeted that two of the three shortlisted candidates are effectively out of contention and he is interviewing two more people. He also says no out-of-contract players have agreed contracts.
Note: article updated since first publication with further tweets
Earlier this month, Smurthwaite had indicated that he had three shortlisted contenders but he now says he will interview two more contenders as two of his previous shortlist have been ruled out.
In the meantime, Friday was the deadline for the club’s eight out-of-contract players to agree new deals and Smurthwaite appears to indicate that none of them have accepted. If the claims are true then Vale currently have just nine contracted players and no manager.
In a series of tweets on Friday night Smurthwaite said:
Valiants.I have returned from Portugal and this is a quick update re Manager position.Candidate 1 l have decided ot to continue dialogue.
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016
Candidate 2 is now required to give 3 months notice and is not permited to leave his position earlier so effectively puts himself out of it
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016
Candidate 3 l interviewed on Wednesday and now need to learn how special the relationship in relality will work.
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016
I will now be interviewing 2 ex Championship Managers 1 Sat am and 1 Tuesday pm.I understand your frustration in time passing but must get
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016
this right.Also l am not aware of any players accepting terms offered and with the exception of Andoh there will be no further dialogue
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016
I know a lot of you have been very annoyed with me of late but l had a plan which has left me where l wanted to be excluding Dodsy.
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016
The budget will now be around our 1st Season in Lg1 which will reflect quality not quantity and by Xmas l hope you will all be very happy
— Norman Smurthwaite (@smurfpvfc) June 10, 2016