The top five contenders for the Port Vale managerial role

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Shefki Kuqi

In most recent news however, a late-runner has emerged to enter the race for the position. According to Sky Sports, Chairman Norman Smurthwaite has been in talks with former Finnish international Shefki Kuqi regarding the post.

The “Flying Finn” is well known for his career as a striker with clubs such as Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea City, Derby County and Newcastle United. But regarding the managerial side of things, if Dickov were a gamble, Kuqi would probably be a greater one. His only managerial experience thus far has been in Finland, where he has coached since 2014, having a brief spell as manager of FC Honka and is currently in charge of PK-35 Vantaa, a club which he owns a stake in. Vantaa however are currently bottom of the Finnish Veikkausliga. A well-known name, but inexperienced in management full stop, let alone in English football, it would be very much a leap of faith for Norman Smurthwaite were he to hire Kuqi. He is however, currently at evens for the Vale Park job.

Smurthwaite has announced to Vale supporters that he is unlikely to appoint a manager until later in the month, so the new boss will need to hit the ground running as he attempts to rebuild a squad which has lost four key players in recent weeks. Smurthwaite is right to bide his time in selecting who he deems the right candidate for the position, as it will indeed be a massive appointment and massive summer for the club with regards to comings and goings of players and preparing the club for the new, upcoming season. Though with preparations in mind, Smurthwaite will have to set some sort of deadline on when he selects the right man, with pre-season kicking off in July when most squads will be moulding into shape across the four divisions.

The Chairman has been brewing up a positive storm regarding the selection process amongst supporters, and has announced that he expects to confirm the appointment by the 21^st June. With all the positivity amidst the uncertainty radiating amongst supporters, Smurthwaite will not only be under pressure to select the right man for the job in terms of bringing back a buzz to the club and persuading supporters to flock to buy season tickets in their thousands, but also a man who has the right philosophy for the club and the ability  to spot a good player for a good price and stamp a positive mark on Port Vale.

Smurthwaite will be under no illusions that this is the biggest decision he has ever been forced to make so far during his reign at Vale Park, and it is critical not just for himself in winning over supporters and generating a positive outward aura at the club, but also in making sure that the club itself ends up going in the right direction and going about its business in a way that will benefit the club in the long term. Ultimately, the club satisfy its fan-base who have been starved of stability. Stability the club desperately needs if it is to be serious about challenging for the second tier. Over to you, Mr Chairman.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Niko Karumaa.