West Brom, Bradford City, Pompey and Derby figure boss back in work 15 days after Championship sacking

Former West Brom boss Darren Moore has been unveiled as the new manager of Port Vale.

The 49-year-old has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Valiants, and will remain under contract until the summer of 2029. He succeeds Andy Crosby who was relieved of his duties after winning just one of his eight matches.

Moore inherits a side that are currently 21st in the League One standings. They occupy the fourth and final relegation spot and are inside the bottom four on the virtue of goal difference.

Commenting on his appointment at Vale Park, he said to the official club website: "When speaking to Carol, Dave 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.

“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 long-term 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.”

He makes a swift return to management and bounces back from his sacking at Huddersfield Town which came just 15 days ago. The former centre-back was relieved of his duties after just four months in the John Smith's Stadium hot seat. Moore oversaw just three wins in 23 games after succeeding Neil Warnock.

West Brom's Championship rivals Huddersfield have yet to name their successor and placed Jon Worthington in caretaker charge.

Vale are the fifth team of Moore's managerial career which began at The Hawthorn's in 2018. He had been promoted from youth coach to caretaker manager following Alan Pardew's dismissal but was unable to stave off the threat of relegation. Moore was dismissed from his role at WBA with just 10 games remaining in the Championship season, and he later picked himself up by taking over Doncaster Rovers. He moved on to Sheffield Wednesday in March 2021 and in May 2023 he led the Owls to play-off glory but left Hillsborough by mutual consent after failing to agree terms on a potential contract renewal.