Port Vale search for new manager after Walsall defeat

Bruno Ribeiro's resignation as Port Vale manager sees a host of out of work managers linked with the post.

But despite the many experienced coaches that are available, Chairman Norman Smurthwaite looks set to stick with Ribeiro's assistant Michael Brown.

Brown has a great deal of lower league experience as a player and Smurthwaite has form appointing an assistant having given Rob Page his chance when Micky Adams left in 2014.o

Ribeiro's appointment was a surprise in the first place to many - with the Portugese virtually unknown in England and the 'experiment' as Smurthwaite put it has failed.

All looked good at the end of September with Vale on the verge of the play-off spots but a run of one win in eleven has seen the Potteries club slide down the table.

Brown has been named caretaker manager following  Ribeiro's resignation. Smurthwaite isn't putting a timescale on when he will appoint his next permanent manager, but Brown will have the first chance to state his case for the job when the Valiants entertain Chesterfield on Friday (7.45pm)

As well as former boss Adams, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who was interviewed before Page was appointed is being touted along with Ryan Giggs - but the later looks more likely to end up at Swansea.

Former Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Bolton manager Dougie Freedman and a host of other names like, Phil Neville, Chris Powell, Paul Ince, Tony Mowbray, Steve Cotterill, Steven Pressley and Gary Caldwell are all available.

JB