Port Vale rumour – Valiants linked with move for Grimsby Town manager
According to the Football Insider website, Port Vale are considering a move for Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst.
Darrell Clarke departed Vale Park earlier this week. Clarke lead the club to promotion from League Two via the play-offs last season, but after a positive start to life in the third tier, their form declined and the 45-year-old departed after a run of seven games without a win.
Assistant Andy Crosby was placed in interim charge until the end of the season.
However, Hurst has emerged as a contender for both vacancies after the excellent job he has done since returning for a second spell at Blundell Park in 2020, leading the Mariners back to the Football League at the first time of asking last season through the National League play-offs. He also masterminded a run to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Hurst also enjoyed a highly successful first spell in charge of Grimsby and led Shrewsbury Town to the League One play-off final in 2018, before he had disappointing spells at Ipswich Town and Scunthorpe United.
According to Football Insider – “Port Vale are keen to bring in a new manager with a proven track in League One with Hurst having guided Shrewsbury to the third-tier play-off final in 2017-18 before leaving for Ipswich.”
Paul Hurst Factfile
Age: 48
Management career: Ilkeston Town, Boston United, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town, Ipswich Town, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town
Games in charge: 698
Win ratio: 46.6%
Honours: Promotions (2016 and 2022), Football League Trophy runners-up, League One Manager of the Year: 2017–18