process. Port Vale ended the 2020–21 season in 13th-place and Clarke said that "I can’t wait to get rid of the deadwood if I am honest". He released all 15 out of contract players and placed a further three contracted players on the transfer-list. Clarke and Flitcroft recruited 12 players for the start of the 2021–22 season, including Ben Garrity, Jamie Proctor and James Wilson. Clarke was named as September's Manager of the Month award after overseeing a run of three wins from four games which took his side into the automatic promotion places. He also won October's award after Vale secured a further 13 points, during which time they scored at least three goals in five of their six games; in doing so he became the first Port Vale boss to win the award two months running. Nine players left the club in the January transfer window, whilst eight signings were made, including Connor Hall and Chris Hussey. On 15 February, Clarke took a period of leave after a close family bereavement, with Andy Crosby standing in during his absence. On 30 March, it was confirmed that Clarke would be returning to the club to support Crosby until the end of the season before taking charge again in the summer. Clarke completed a phased return to the manager role on 6 May. Vale qualified for the play-off semi-finals and Clarke was sent off in extra-time of the second leg for an altercation with Swindon Town's Dion Conroy, and had to witness Vale's penalty shoot-out victory from the stands. He apologised for his behaviour and went on to say that: "We've got one more game to go against Mansfield, which is fitting because it's where my eldest daughter came from.... it'll be an emotional day but I'm looking forward to the final." He signed a new five-year contract two days before the final. Vale eased to victory in the final with a 3–0 victory and Clarke dedicated the win to his daughter, Ellie, who had died in February. Clarke was one of eleven managers who received special recognition at the 41st Football Writers Awards dinner for their work during the 2021–22 season. Clarke was linked with the vacant management position at Portsmouth in January 2023, though stated that "I am really happy here [at Port Vale]". Management style Clarke is flexible with his formations and is open to different styles