Bradford City and Millwall confirm the appointments of their new managers with Graham Alexander at the Bantams and Joe Edwards at the Lions.
In at Valley Parade is former MK Dons head coach Graham Alexander, 52, as their manager on a contract until the summer of 2026.
He had been sacked by Milton Keynes Dons on the 16th of October, just 12 days after Bradford sacked his predecessor Mark Hughes.
Alexander, who has previously managed the likes of Fleetwood, Scunthorpe, Salford and Scottish club Motherwell, who he led to a Europa Conference League place in 2021-22.
The Bantams currently sit 16th in League Two, with 20 points from 16 games played.
Meanwhile, Millwall have appointed ex-Chelsea and Everton assistant coach Joe Edwards as their head coach.
He was part of Frank Lampard’s backroom staff at both Premier League clubs and was in interim charge of England Under-20s since August.
The 37 year old takes over at the Championship club from Gary Rowett, who left by mutual consent on the 18th of October.
Millwall are currently 18th in the Championship standings, having picked up just two points from four games since his exit.
đ | Welcome to #BCAFC, Graham Alexander!
â Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) November 6, 2023
BRADFORD STATEMENT:
Bradford City AFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Graham Alexander as the clubâs new menâs first-team manager.
The 52-year-old arrives at the University of Bradford Stadium on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season, with former Bury boss Chris Lucketti appointed Cityâs new assistant manager.
He boasts a wealth of experience from similar managerial positions across the EFL – at MK Dons, Salford City, Scunthorpe United and Fleetwood Town – and in the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell.
With no less than 450 games managed, Alexander has two promotions on his CV, at Fleetwood and Salford. He took the Cod Army from League Two to League One via the play-offs in 2015, before reaching the 2016/17 League One Play-Offs with Scunthorpe.
Taking over Salford in 2018, the former Scotland international gained promotion to League Two with the Ammies at the first time of asking, before reaching the EFL Trophy Final in his second season in charge. Salford were fifth in League Two at the time of his departure later that year, having remained unbeaten over their opening five matches of the season.
During his time north of the border at Fir Park, Alexander led the Well to a fifth-placed finish in the Scottish top flight in 2021/22, which saw them qualify for the Europa Conference League the season after.
Having managed in Sky Bet League Two as recently as this season, he won the divisionâs manager of the month award for August 2023, after his MK Dons side took 12 points from their opening five games of the campaign.
As a player, Alexander amassed over 1,000 professional appearances across all four professional tiers of the English game, becoming only the second outfield player in English football history to have done so at the time.
On top of being capped on 40 occasions by his country between 2002 and 2009, the Coventry-born right-back won promotion to the Premier League with Burnley in 2009, and from the second division to the first division with Preston North End in 2000.
During his time at the Clarets, he became the oldest player to make a Premier League debut in August 2009, aged 37, and remains the fourth-oldest player to score in Premier League history.
On joining the Bantams, Alexander said: âIt is really good to be here. I am very excited about the role, the potential of the team and the club.
âMe and Chris have been here quite a few times as a management duo competing against Bradford City, but it will be good to be on the right side, now.
âWhen the stadium is full and the crowd is behind the team, it is a really difficult venue to come and play at, so we have to make it a tough place for everyone else to visit.
âJoining a club, you have to look at the short-term improvements you can make, but also look at the potential of what you can do. Here, for me, that scope is endless.
âI am really excited for the weekend. You will not see me sat down in the dugout too much, but we know what this venue is like for a game of football, and we are looking forward to getting our supporters behind this team and bringing them excitement.â
Cityâs chief executive officer, Ryan Sparks, said: âAfter a lengthy period of recruitment where we have been able to carefully consider and complete vital due diligence on candidates, we are absolutely thrilled to have agreed terms with, and appointed, Graham as our new menâs first-team manager.
âI would like to thank Kevin McDonald, Mark Trueman and Matt Derbyshire for stepping up beyond the call of duty and allowing the club much-needed time to interview and assess several candidates.
âGrahamâs record speaks for itself. He has managed successfully in three English divisions, and of course in the Scottish Premiership.
âBoth him and his assistant Chris Lucketti impressed us greatly during the interview process, and it is clear we have a shared passion for Bradford City and success. The level of detail Graham provided throughout the process only confirmed his desire to take us forward this season and beyond.
âHe has managed 450 games, winning 43% of them, and has achieved promotion from League Two in the past, while also achieving a play-off finish in League One.
âGraham is someone who has experienced many different challenges throughout his career, facing them all admirably and consistently improving several clubsâ positions.
âI would like to wish both him and Chris a warm welcome to our football club, and the very best of luck.â
đ Introducing #Millwallâs new Head Coach.
â Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) November 6, 2023
MILLWALL STATEMENT:
Millwall Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Edwards as its new Head Coach.
The 37-year-old joins The Lions alongside Andy Myers, who will be installed as Assistant Head Coach. Adam Barrett – who has overseen the last four matches on a caretaker basis – and Andy Marshall, meanwhile, will remain part of the club’s backroom staff.
A youth team prospect at Chelsea, Edwards made his first foray into coaching with The Blues at the age of 19, overseeing FA Youth Cup victories before being promoted to the first-team set-up under Frank Lampard.
Edwards was to remain in his post as Thomas Tuchel took over at Stamford Bridge, becoming part of the set-up which won the Champions League in 2021.
From there, he moved to Goodison Park to assist Lampard at Everton, and has most recently been in charge of England’s Under 20 side.
“Firstly, it’s a really proud day for me and my family,” Edwards told millwallfc.co.uk. “Although I have been coaching for a long time, a lot of people will be aware that this is my first job managing as Head Coach.
“Throughout the years, at various levels, you think you would like to have the opportunity to make the step up. To do it at a club like this, to be Head Coach of Millwall Football Club – I don’t take that lightly at all. I’m really excited.”
James Berylson, Chairman of Millwall Football Club, spoke of his excitement at the appointment of Joe.
“With Joe, I’m excited. He is somebody who I think is very innovative and has some positive ideas about the progression we can make as a club.
“It was a thorough process, with no stone left unturned, and Joe was engaging, attentive, and impressive throughout, and I felt that we could have a productive working relationship together.
“We welcome both Joe and Andy to The Den with open arms and look forward to seeing the impact they can make on and off the pitch throughout what we hope to be a long relationship with Millwall.”
Alex Aldridge, Director of Football Operations and Recruitment, added: âWe have taken our time to conduct a thorough recruitment process and we are delighted to welcome Joe to Millwall.
âJoe is a highly-motivated, dynamic coach who is held in high regard by everyone he has worked with at Chelsea, Everton and the Football Association, and we feel he is a great long-term fit for the club.
âJoe has strong principles and clear ideas for taking the team forwards and given his background in developing young players fully understands the importance of having a strong link with our Academy.
âEveryone at Millwall is looking forward to welcoming Joe and working together to build on the progress we have made in recent years.â
Edwards will take training at Calmont Road on Tuesday for the first time. Preparations will then continue ahead of his first game as Head Coach this Saturday as The Lions travel to Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship (kick-off 3pm).
Here’s how fans reacted as Bradford City and Millwall confirm the appointments of their new managers…
ON BRADFORD
@bcafcwin: All we can do now is get behind him and his team from the first whistle on Saturday. If things donât start off the best letâs hope it doesnât turn quickly otherwise it will get ugly quick. Best of luck Graham đ€đ»
@pj_butcher: Welcome to Bradford City Graham. No pressure! đ€Ł
@LeonHobbes: Fingers crossed he can overcome the various issues that held back his predecessors. Good luck Graham.
@dannym97: Best of luck, Graham. Letâs at least give him a chance đđ» On a separate note, we need a Director of Football desperately đđ€Ł #bcafc
@RomanMcCarthy4: canât be any worse can it?
@SMFIRTH90: Just get behind the man and back him – despite what your feelings are towards the club at the minute – we all want the same thing – success!
@Medds92: Welcome and massive respect for taking on such a mess, all the best đ
@CameronGC02: Can anyone slagging this off but weâre wanting cowley tell me what makes cowley any better? Get a grip
@bowers_bcafc12: NOT BAD AT ALL! GIVE HIM A CHANCE!
@djedmandsbcafc: give him a chance before you hound him out
@BarneyAllen: I have no idea how good or bad an appointment this is but he has a better win percentage as a manager than both Mark Hughes and Phil Parkinson so welcome to City Graham and fingers crossed. đ€đŒ âœïž #BCAFC
ON MILLWALL
@EssexLions1: Not gonna lie. We know nothing about him and he doesnât have any managerial experience in the championship. Even though he wasnât my personal choice Iâll get behind him starting at Hillsborough on Saturday
@mfctallpaul: This could be the start of something special, he has an untold amount of experience with youth players and we have some great youngsters trying to break into the first team and he also has a lot of connections. Welcome to the den. Miilllllllll
@MarkRidders: Good luck to him. Too many people will expect miracles straight out the gate. We may need to be patient for him to get the players used to a new way of playing.
@4thGenCOYL: Great appointment, looking forward to seeing what he can do with our players and team.
@BlueScoutBooker: As an Everton fan! He was lampards assistant, showed good character and is young in the game! Always had a soft spot for Millwall as family are fans and the mighty Tim Cahill ofcourse! Hope he does well!
@littlepaul1885: Looking forward to it. Welcome to the Den, Joe.
@FredJM1995: Buzzing with this!! Glad we got an up and coming young manager with fresh ideas than someone established to play it safe, got great contacts in the game and will help the youngsters out a lot! Finally get to watch good football too đ€đŒ letâs get behind him! MILLLLL
@Dan_Griffiths92: Letâs get behind him đ„ł
@Chairmanchunder: Let’s all stop moaning, and instead, give him our full support.
@JamieSinfield: welcome Joe, glad to have you onboard weâre all behind u, just give it your all thatâs all we ask for as fans milllllllllllllllllll đŠ
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