By Paul Hurst dismisses Blackpool and Port Vale job links as ‘speculation’
Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst has dismissed reports linking him to the vacant managerial jobs at Blackpool and Port Vale as just “speculation”.
Football Insider reported yesterday that the 48-year-old is “under consideration” to take charge at the Championship and League One outfits after they recently parted company with their managers.
The Mariners currently sit 12th in League Two after bouncing straight back up into the Football League under Hurst’s guidance last season, while they also caught national attention by reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals last month.
“I’ve seen the article because I’ve had a few people send it to me, but that was the first I’d seen of it,” said the Town manager.
“I think we all know not to believe everything we see online. There are also numerous other managers that have been linked to those jobs and I’m sure they will continue to be so. I don’t think there’s anything more in it than that.”
Hurst, who is in his second stint at Grimsby, previously left the club to join League One side Shrewsbury Town in 2016, where he led them all the way to a playoff final.
On the back of his success with the Shrews, he moved up a division to join then-Championship outfit Ipswich Town to replace Mick McCarthy, who has just been relieved of his duties by Blackpool.
The Mariners manager believes the links have come off the back of his side having a successful first season back in the Football League, with Town moving into the top half of the League Two table following Tuesday’s victory over playoff-chasing Barrow.
“I’m the figurehead to a degree but, ultimately, there’s a lot of work that goes into it. If we’re bottom of the league and we’re getting smashed every week, then the reality is that I’m probably not going to get any attention.
“Overall, in our first season – when you look at the competition that we face in this league and our cup run – I think I have to say it has been a good season for the football club on the back of what was a fantastic season getting back into the Football League.”
