Ex QPR and Blackburn Rovers bosses compete for League One job

Two former QPR stars and a Blackburn Rovers legend are set to compete for the newly vacant manager role at League One club Port Vale.

The Valiants sacked boss Andy Crosby on Monday after less than a year in the job. Port Vale had won just once in eight matches and had fallen to 20th in League One, just two points above the relegation zone - defeat to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night and a victory for Reading has since pushed the club into the drop zone.

Crosby joined Vale as Darrell Clarke's assistant in March 2021 and was appointed manager in April 2023. The 50-year-old played a key role in the club's promotion to League One and led the side to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in December.

A short Port Vale statement read: "Port Vale Football Club has today relieved Andy Crosby of his duties as first-team manager. John Schofield will also leave his position as assistant manager.

"Andy joined the Valiants as assistant manager in March 2021 and became permanent manager in June 2023. Andy's three years at Vale Park included his part in our promotion to League One and two separate instances as interim manager.

"We’d like to thank both Andy and John for the time they have spent at Vale Park and would like to wish them all of the best with their future careers."

The club also confirmed that 'the search for a new manager has already begun' and it's a few familiar faces who have emerged as frontrunners for the job. Former Lincoln City manager Mark Kennedy is an early favourite and is available having been sacked by the League One side last October.

Kennedy has worked in youth academies at Manchester City, Wolves and Ipswich Town following his retirement from playing, as well as a short spell in charge of Macclesfield Town.

The 47-year-old spent a short loan spell at QPR in 1998 and is up against fellow former Rs star Gareth Ainsworth, who has also been linked with the Port Vale job. The ex-midfielder, who made over 150 appearances for QPR, was sacked by the club last October after a poor start to the Championship season.

Former Dundee, Salford City and Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is also named as a candidate. The 52-year-old was named Scottish Championship Manager of the Year last season before leaving Dundee and previously led Blackburn Rovers straight back into League One after relegation to League Two in 2017.