Port Vale name ex-Cobblers boss Brady as head coach

5 days ago 2

Port Vale have appointed former Northampton Town boss Jon Brady as their new manager on an 18-month contract.

The 50-year-old Australian replaces Darren Moore, who was sacked on 28 December after a run of seven defeats in nine games left the League One side bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety.

Brady, who resigned as Cobblers manager just over a year ago, has the task of trying to keep Vale, with just four wins from 23 games this season, in the third tier.

"We're delighted to welcome Jon to Vale Park as the club's new manager," Vale chief executive Matt Hancock said in a club statement.

"Jon was the standout candidate at the end of a thorough recruitment process, with his experience and passion for returning to management here at Port Vale really shining through."

Brady spent three and a half years with the Cobblers, spanning 200 matches, delivering promotion to League One after finishing third in League Two 2022-23.

He arrives in Burslem in similar circumstances to when he took interim charge at the Sixfields Stadium in February 2021 when Northampton sat in the League One relegation zone.

Although he could not keep them up that season, his track record of getting the club back there - and keeping them there - appealed to the Vale hierarchy, given the Valiants' perilous position at the moment.

Hancock added that Brady "is someone who we believe can make a real difference here in both the short and long term" and said the new boss has "our full support as we focus on achieving our objectives this season".

Brady inherits a Vale side that ended a 12-game winless league run in spectacular style by thrashing relegation rivals Blackpool 5-1 on New Year's Day.

That was their first league victory since 27 September, having started the season solidly following promotion last term as League Two runners-up, only for their results to dip badly.

Brady will be in charge for the first time in Friday's FA Cup third round tie against Fleetwood Town [19:30 GMT].

'I'm going into this with my eyes wide open'

Brady said he was "honoured" to become Vale's new boss and that, after talking to owners Carol and Kevin Shanahan and the board, he felt the job was "the right project and right fit" for him.

He was also upfront about the scale of the relegation fight the club faces.

"I am going into this with my eyes wide open," he said.

"We are bottom and there is a lot of work to do but everyone associated with this club has the chance to create history.

"Can we pull together every day and achieve survival? Everyone united on the goal of winning games and building momentum.

"I want us to be aggressive, fearless, hard-working and get forward. These players need our love and support. They need to believe again.

"The win over Blackpool was the start of that. They showed the potential, we need to replicate that. Winning becomes a habit."

Brady 'a sensible appointment' - analysis

Phil Bowers, BBC Radio Stoke's Port Vale commentator

It's a sensible appointment, mainly because Vale are going to need somebody who is able to get them out of trouble at the bottom of the league.

That would indicate someone who is a safe pair of hands and Jon Brady's reputation is that.

He didn't do it at Northampton when he took over but there is nothing to say he can't do this now. There is, though, a huge 10-point gap to rectify.

I think some of the fans may be a touch underwhelmed, but I've seen a lot of people say how they need to back the new manager, whoever it is.

A lot wanted to go down a more glamorous route with a bigger name but you've got to remember the club are bottom of the league by 10 points - it might not be the most attractive proposition.

On the face of it, Brady looks like the sensible appointment.

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