Ian Brightwell played for Vale between 2002 and 2004

Lee Sinnott's departure from Port Vale after just 10 months in charge was no surprise, according to Ian Brightwell.

The former Vale defender and assistant manager saw his exit as inevitable after the 4-1 Macclesfield home defeat.

"They've had a bad run of results," said Brightwell, who now works as a summariser for BBC Radio Stoke. "The result on Saturday was the final straw.

"I don't think the board had any option. They felt they needed to change and they've obviously done that."

According to Brightwell, Vale have the perfect replacements for Sinnott already at the club in assistant manager Dean Glover, goalkeeping coach Mark Grew, and youth team coach Andy Porter.

All three were former Vale players, and Brightwell thinks they are good candidates to take over.

"I've worked with them before and they all want the best for Port Vale," he said. "You couldn't ask for a better trio to take over in the interim period, with a view to taking over in the long term.

"They'll bring stability to the club, and the main thing is that they know their football."