Port Vale have refused Gillingham permission to speak to Micky Adams over the vacant manager's position at the Priestfield.
The Gills have been managerless since Andy Hessenthaler resigned earlier this month and it had been reported that Adams had been shortlisted to replace the 46-year-old.
However, the financially-troubled Stoke club said on their official Twitter page: "Port Vale have refused permission for Gillingham to speak to the club's manager Micky Adams."
Adams began his playing career with Gillingham, making 92 appearances during a four-year spell.
