Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United's relegation rivals sack Sheffield Wednesday's promotion-winning manager
Relegation-threatened Port Vale have sacked Darren Moore, just months after he took them into League One.
The former Barnsley and Bradford City defender, who won a promotion as manager of Sheffield Wednesday from League One to the Championship before walking away three weeks later after a dispute with controversial owner Dejphon Chansiri, also managed Doncaster Rovers and Huddersfield Town.
Upon leaving the Terriers, he took the position at League One strugglers Vale in February 2024, and although he was unable to keep them in the third tier that season he got them straight back there as they finished sandwiched between two of his former clubs in Doncaster and Bradford in winning promotion out of League Two in the 2024/25 campaign.
But life in League One has proven difficult with Vale winning just three of 21 games and sitting bottom of the league, 10 points from safety.
They have Rotherham United and Doncaster for company in the bottom four.
A gracious Moore, quoted on the Port Vale website, said: “It has been a real privilege to manage Port Vale and to represent such a proud football club. Earning promotion in our first season gave me memories that I will always keep in my heart, and I want to thank the players, staff and supporters for their backing during my time at Vale Park. You have all been outstanding to work with.
"While I'm sorry things haven't worked out the way we all would have hoped this season, I hope everyone connected to the club knows that I gave my very best and I wish the club nothing but success for the future. I will be supporting you from afar.”
A statement on the Vale website read: “We can confirm that Port Vale Football Club have parted company with first-team manager Darren Moore.
“This has been a difficult decision and one we haven't taken lightly, but we believe now is the right moment to make a change. We have given the situation time and support to ensure we were doing everything to give this project the best possible chance of success, and while we truly hoped it would turn, we must act in what we believe is the best long-term interest of Port Vale.
“We fully understand the frustration and disappointment around results, which has been felt by supporters and throughout the club. As we approach the halfway point of the season, we believe this decision will give the team the best possible chance of moving in the right direction during the second half of the campaign, and we will now take the necessary steps to move the club forward and rebuild momentum.
“Darren worked extremely hard during his time at Vale Park and played a key role in guiding the club back to League One at the first time of asking, an achievement for which he will always be respected and thanked. We would like to place on record our thanks to Darren for his commitment and hard work and wish him the very best for the future.”