Port Vale have confirmed the departure of director of football, David Flitcroft by mutual consent, according to a statement on the club’s website.
The 50-year-old joined The Valiants back in February of 2021 as the director of football, with the primary aim of focusing on the recruitment of staff and players. During his three-year tenure, he has helped oversee Port Vale’s play-off final promotion in the 2021/2022 season after appointing Darrell Clarke as Head Coach. However, they now sit 23rd in League One with 33 points from 37 games.
Port Vale’s Season So Far – Analysis
The Valiants have been at the wrong end of the table for the majority of the season. They currently occupy a relegation spot and are six points away from safety. They have won just eight league games while drawing nine and losing 20 so far this season. They have the second most goals conceded in League One after Carlisle with 61 goals conceded. Andy Crosby’s poor run of form, which saw him win one game in eight ultimately cost him his job.
Port Vale replaced him with promotion-winning coach Darren Moore, who put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year contract that will see him stay with the club until the summer of 2029. Despite the change in management, there was no new manager bounce with Moore yet to win a game as the Valients’ head coach, and with no signs of an upturn in form, Darren Moore’s men are seemingly destined for League Two football.
What Will Next Season Hold?
With relegation looking more and more likely for Port Vale game by game, next season they could return to League Two. However, the departure of Flitcroft offers a potential change in the club model. Vale could revert to the original manager format instead of the director of football and head coach dynamic. This could give Port Vale the chance to rebuild themselves to fight for promotion with Darren Moore who would be given a more hands-on approach when it comes to recruitment, allowing him to build the squad how he pleases and in whichever way gives Port Vale the best opportunity to return to League One.
That being said, the relegation fight isn’t over yet, and should Darren Moore rescue them from the drop, Vale can’t afford to get another season wrong as it could quickly descend and become even worse than this season.
Ultimately, David Flitcroft has had a huge impact on how Port Vale’s season has played out by getting too many decisions wrong as well as poor recruitment.