BRADFORD CITY have brought back Stuart McCall for a third spell as manager.
He replaces Gary Bowyer who was sacked on Monday after less than 11 months in the Valley Parade hotseat.
Stuart McCall is back in the Bradford hotseat for a third time after the club sacked Gary BowyerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The 55-year-old former Scotland international, who had two spells as a player with the Bantams and guided them to the League One play-off final in 2017, has signed a deal until at least the end of next season.
The appointment is near enough two years to the day since he was SACKED by then chairman Edin Rahic after a run of six successive defeats.
But the Bantams were still in the play-off spots, 13 points off the automatics.
Rahic has since left the club amid fan protests at his running of operations, and seemingly McCall is on board with the new direction.
SACKED BY BANTAMS TWO YEARS AGO
McCall, who will be assisted by long-term number two Kenny Black, told the club’s official website: “I am naturally delighted to be here again and am fully focused on the 15 games we have left to play.
“It is always difficult taking over from a manager who has lost his job, so I feel for Gary.
“But, when (interim chief executive officer) Julian (Rhodes) contacted me, I was desperate to return.
“The club is a huge one in this division and, with everything still to play for, the job is to try and get us back to where we should be.
“We are going to get our heads down, work as hard as we can and, hopefully, get the best out of what is a strong squad.”
McCall and Black will be in the dugout for the first time on Saturday as they attempt to end a run of seven games without a win when Ian Holloway’s Grimsby head for West Yorkshire.
Bradford were relegated from League One at the end of last season and currently sit eighth in the fourth tier.
Former Blackpool boss Bowyer, 48, took over the Yorkshire club last March following the resignation of David Hopkin.
The Bantams have not won since New Year’s Day and Bowyer’s fate was sealed by the 3-0 defeat at Oldham on Saturday.
They also sanctioned the moves of 23-goal Eoin Doyle to Swindon and captain and 11-goal James Vaughan to Tranmere on Deadline Day.
Gary Bowyer was sacked by the Bantams after a miserable run of results that had left fans fumingCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
