Update emerges in Portsmouth managerial search as League One boss rules himself out | OneFootball

Port Vale manager Darrell Clarke has ruled himself out of the running to take over at fellow League One side Portsmouth.

Pompey are without a manager following the sacking of Danny Cowley earlier this month after a run of one win in 14 games.

But their fortunes have not improved since Cowley’s departure, losing all three games in all competitions under caretaker boss Simon Bassey, the latest of which was Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium, which means they are now 15th in the table, nine points from the play-off places.

One name who had been linked with the vacancy in recent days was Clarke, who has done an outstanding job at Vale Park, leading the club to promotion from League Two through the play-offs last season and enjoying an excellent start to life in the third tier, with the Valiants currently sitting 11th, just five points from the top six.

But speaking after his side’s 2-0 home defeat to Peterborough United on Monday night, Clarke confirmed he will be remaining in Staffordshire and distanced himself from a potential move to Fratton Park.

“For me I love my job here, I get up every morning to try and make this football better,” Clarke told BBC Radio Stoke.

“I don’t look and listen to stuff like that, for me it’s focusing on making this group better all the time and making this club better – and that’s what I will continue to do.

“Of course I am (ruling myself out), I’m really happy here, I signed a long-term deal in the summer, I’m loyal.

“People that know me over the years know I’m loyal, and all I do is wake up thinking how can we get better.”

Last week, journalist Alex Crook claimed that Pompey were “increasingly likely” to appoint former Milton Keynes Dons boss Liam Manning. No deal has yet been announced, although the club are supposedly set to name Cowley’s successor imminently.

Quiz: What club do these 15 ex-Portsmouth academy players play for now?

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The verdict

The need for Portsmouth to seal a managerial appointment is becoming increasingly urgent.

Pompey’s top six prospects are rapidly decreasing and Cowley seems to have been sacked without a replacement in mind and the club could perhaps be accused of lacking a plan or a sense of direction.

Clarke would have been a decent choice and the way the Valiants have made the step up following promotion suggests he is more than capable of managing at the level, but with Vale currently above Pompey in the table and seemingly on an upward trajectory, his decision to stay makes sense.

But it is a further blow to Pompey as their search continues, with no clear indication yet as to who will be next in the hot seat.