Following the Christmas period, the sacking season is well under way. However, in more positive news The Sack Race have announced via Twitter that Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is now the odds-on favorite to take the reigns at Port Vale.
They announced the odds just after 4 pm this afternoon, leading to speculation that there could well be a new manager in the Vale hot seat in the near future.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is now the odds-on frontrunner in the next Port Vale manager market #pvfc https://t.co/2dt5rnGPP5 pic.twitter.com/u5WQEmW9Xu
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) January 5, 2017
The Stoke-On-Trent based side have been without a manager since the resignation of Bruno Ribiero on boxing day. The Portuguese, who was recommended to the club’s owner, Norman Smurthwaite by Jose Mourinho, handed in his resignation after a 1-0 home defeat to Walsall.
Now Hasselbaink looks in a strong position to fill the vacancy according to this source.
Former Leeds and Chelsea forward Hasselbaink began his managerial career with Burton Albion. He led The Brewers to the League Two title in 2014-15, and with it, took them to the highest league position in their history.
Having guided them to the brink of promotion to The Championship the following season, he took the managerial position at QPR. He guided the West London club to 12th in the table after an early season struggle – raising expectations of a promotion push in his second season.
That, however, failed to materialize and he was removed from his position in November. This change game when the club was languishing with the club 17th place in the table.
Should it transpire that he takes the reigns at Vale, he will take over from Michael Brown. The former Leeds United midfielder was named caretaker manager in wake of Ribiero’s departure.