Port Vale's preferred bidder Keith Ryder has pledged to give boss Micky Adams a bigger budget next season to help win promotion.
Ryder will become the League Two club's new owner if his bid to buy Vale out of administration is voted through by creditors and is then approved by the Football League.
The management consultant from Lancashire, 43, is keen to press on with his plans and insists Adams's job is safe if he takes over.
"Micky's future is safe. We are planning a good increase to his budget next year," Ryder said at a meeting on Wednesday evening attended by Vale supporters.
"We are not setting any big targets, it is about small steps. But this year, without the 10-point deduction for administration, we would have been knocking on the door for the play-offs.
"Micky is keen to be successful and we are hoping that, with the investment next season, we can have a big push towards promotion. I would be disappointed if we don't get to the play-offs, but that doesn't mean Micky's job would be on the line if we don't achieve it."
