Former Reading assistant manager, Andy Crosby, has been appointed caretaker manager of Port Vale following Darrell Clarke's sacking.
A long-term coach under Nigel Adkins, they worked together at Southampton, Reading, Sheffield United and Hull City.
At the SCL Stadium from February 2013 until December 2014, the former defender has been at Vale Park since 2021- twice stepping in as caretaker manager.
Despite winning promotion from League Two last year and having the Valiants on track for survival this season, Clarke was sacked after a 3-2 defeat to Lincoln City.
A club statement read: "Port Vale Football Club has parted company with manager Darrell Clarke following Saturday’s League One defeat at Lincoln City.
"Darrell deserves the utmost respect and appreciation from all at Port Vale for his contribution to the club’s progress since he was appointed in February 2021. However, performances and results have been below expectations since the turn of the year, with just two wins in our 18 League One fixtures since New Year’s Day and an alarming trend in performances in recent weeks.
"Andy Crosby will now take charge of the first team, initially on an interim basis until the end of the 2022/23 season, with the club’s immediate focus on retaining our League One status."
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