In response to recent reports that he might be teaming up with free-agent striker Dwight Gayle, who just ended his contract with Stoke City, Port Vale head coach Darren Moore has spoken out.
Moore, who signed a massive five-and-a-half-year contract that would keep him with the Valiants until 2029, was announced earlier this week as the next manager at Vale Park. Moore will take Andy Crosby’s place in the dugout permanently.
Following a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers at the end of January, the 49-year-old was let go from his position with Championship team Huddersfield Town. However, he was only out of a job for two weeks before entering another relegation struggle, albeit this time in a lower tier.
Since the final game of 2023, Port Vale has not won and has had a terrible run of results in the English second division. The Burslem team has lost their last six games in 2024, but this Saturday, in Moore’s first game as manager, they go to Cheltenham Town for a crucial relegation battle.
This past week, there were whispers that Moore was interested in signing Gayle outside of the transfer window. However, the new manager has now denied these claims in an interview with BBC Radio Stoke.
“I can see why people would associate [him], you know, with Dwight’s current role and our time together at West Brom.
“Amazing person and talented football player. He went on, “[I] can see the fit, what he would be, where fans would probably be adding up sums.”
“But as a manager, I can understand everyone assuming that, even though there’s really nothing in it,” the manager said.
Given that Port Vale and Stoke City are nearby, Gayle relocating to Vale Park would be perfect for the star. However, in his four seasons with the Potters and Newcastle United, the former frontman for the Premier League has only managed four goals.
However, since the club has the seventh-worst offensive in League One, Moore may be able to persuade the 34-year-old to stay on until the end of the season at comparatively cheap wages.
