Opinion: Darren Moore’s appointment and contract length are statements of intent
Rob Fielding thinks the appointment of Darren Moore as Port Vale manager is a real statement of intent but one not without risk…
Rob Fielding writes…
It has come as a welcome shock to see the club appoint a man who would be the top of many Vale fans’ wishlists…
It’s perhaps no surprise that many Vale fans were surprised by the appointment of Darren Moore as the club’s new manager. After years of promotions from within (from Martin Foyle, Dean Glover to last summer’s Andy Crosby appointment) and the left-field (Lee Sinnott, Jim Gannon and Bruno Ribeiro), it has come as a welcome shock to see the club appoint a man who would be the top of many Vale fans’ wishlists.
After days of criticism of the role of David Flitcroft, this perhaps shows why the club hierarchy still have faith in him. The January transfer window may have been a washout, but the skills to bring in someone of the calibre of Moore show why he still retains the faith of the owners. Like the appointment of Darrell Clarke this could be another defining moment for Flitcroft. If nothing else, it certainly eases the immediate pressure on the Director of Football.
Moore seems a strong character like Clarke so it will be interesting how he interacts with Flitcroft during what is sure to be a vastly important summer transfer window. If Flitcroft can work with Moore and produce a better window for the club then things can start to look up for the club.
However, it still remains to be seen which division Vale will be in this summer. Moore will surely be under no illusions about the size of his task. He has to somehow get the very best out of an unbalanced side, short of at least two bodies upfront and currently lodged in the relegation zone. The games against fellow strugglers Cheltenham, Reading and Fleetwood will probably be crucial if the Valiants are to stay in League One.
It probably took a fair degree of negotiating to bring Moore to the club and that probably explains the five and a half year contract. The length of the deal will be an area of concern for some. Five and a half years is an age in the modern game. If you’re cup half-full, it means we hold on to an impressive manager with the contract length putting any higher placed suitors off and/or commanding a big fee for his services. However, if you’re cup half-empty… what if Moore replicates his Huddersfield spell, the club end up in League Two then Vale are potentially saddled with a huge compensation package should they want to get rid?
The Valiants have had far too many managers in recent years and have opted for the quick, easy or cheap option on too many occasions. This is a statement of intent, a brave move and a decisive one…
For those reasons, I really hope that this bold move pays off. The Valiants have had far too many managers in recent years and have opted for the quick, easy or cheap option on too many occasions. This is a statement of intent, a brave move and a decisive one. It would be fantastic should it work.
There’s one final point to make… the last two occasions that Vale have opted for the strongest character from the possible candidates – Micky Adams in 2009 or Darrell Clarke in 2021 – it has resulted in a promotion. What chance third time lucky?
Chris Barlow
13th February 2024 @ 8:35 pm
Vale have made 5 significant and meaningful managerial appointments in my lifetime of supporting Vale, although for the first one I was only a small child, honest
1. Gordon Lee
2. John McGrath
3. John Rudge
4.Mickey Adams
5. Daryl Clarke
Hopefully Darren Moore will be the sixth and is in some ways the bravest because of the length of contract. I applaud the club, Darren Moore was my choice when I knew his name was in the frame. If he is as successful as the above five he will become another club legend, now is the time for all fans to get behind Darren Moore, the players and not least the directors for this giant effort to secure a rare event, something that appears to satisfy the vast majority of Vale fans !!!
[WRX]Valiant
13th February 2024 @ 9:29 pm
You have to hope that Carol has clauses on that 5.5 year contract based on what league we are in, and the performance levels achieved. Could also incentivize going up a league as well, works both ways. It’s a long time since I had faith in an owner of the club, but she is a smart cookie, and I am holding the faith. UTV!
Maurice WILLIAMS
13th February 2024 @ 10:06 pm
Can he motivate the players asnt got much to work with very weak subs bench when best team is in starting 11
Burnt toast Basil(Sides)
13th February 2024 @ 11:40 pm
Im happy with the contract and there is probably a clause in the contract especially as were a league 1 club ,i think its a breath of fresh air that Port Vale are being positive ,we the fans can play a big part giving great support and sticking with the Rome wasnt builtin a day attitude ,i think its going to be interesting watching the Great Vale grow.
Hats off to Carol the best Chair and owner in the football league.
Ian Mountford
13th February 2024 @ 11:54 pm
Sorry I do not share everyone’s optimism. Darrell Moore scraped over line via the playoffs after throwing away what looked like certain automatic promotion with the largest club in the league. I would have been far more impressed with him if he’d gained promotion with either Accrington Stanley or Morecambe. The fact that he’s ended up at Vale Park shows not many other clubs share Vale’s high opinion of him. Another thing that doesn’t sit well with me is, if the club has this sort of money to play around with why wasn’t some of this spent supporting Crosby by strengthening the playing squad in August and January. Another thing, fans obsession with Clarke, I think I’m correct in saying Clarke took 1pt out of his first 8 games and Vale were nose diving into none league obscurity until Crosby was recruited. It was Crosby who took over the reins when Clarke had his sad lose and guided us to promotion as Clarke acknowledged. And it was Crosby who again took over the reins after Clarke’s dismissal and kept us in League 1 . For me the club and supporters owe Crosby, and for Carol and the club and some supporters to criticise Crosby how they have is disgraceful.
Paul Ellis
14th February 2024 @ 8:58 am
Is it true he has only won 3 games out of 23 at Huddersfield and that he was sacked
Richard
14th February 2024 @ 4:03 pm
Welcome Darren I think you can be a great manager for the Vale you can bring a different style of play
A Belter
14th February 2024 @ 9:09 pm
Once again the naievity of the owners shines through. The contract length is probably the only thing that secured his signature. Moore will need a significant amount of money to improve the squad. I think further investment maybe on the cards as the Shanahan family albeit well intentioned don’t appear to have the money to move the club to the Championship. Time will tell.