Bradford City fans express some frustration as an update is given on the search for a new manager, with Kevin McDonald no longer caretaker.
The Bantams player-caretaker Kevin McDonald steps down following Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie, a 3-0 victory over Manchester City Under-21s.
The League Two side state that first team coach Mark Trueman will assume the caretaker role for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers.
McDonald, 34, was placed in charge following the sacking of Mark Hughes, but will now focus on a return to playing.
He won his first three matches but they have lost their past two league games. And speculation rumbled on as to who and when they appoint a permanent new manager.
📜 | An update on the ongoing recruitment of a new men’s first-team manager.#BCAFC
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) October 31, 2023
📺 REACTION | Kevin McDonald will look back on his time as caretaker player-manager with fond memories, after a victory in his final game in temporary charge this evening. #BCAFC | @BradfordLifts
— Bradford City AFC (@officialbantams) October 31, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Bradford City AFC has moved to update supporters on the ongoing recruitment of a new men’s first-team manager.
Mark Trueman will take caretaker charge of the Bantams for this Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup visit of Wycombe Wanderers, with Kevin McDonald returning to full-time playing duties after his final game as caretaker player-manager against Manchester City Under-21s in the EFL Trophy this evening.
City’s chief executive officer, Ryan Sparks, said: “Our search for a new manager is ongoing, and we are currently staging final interviews with candidates.
“This is a very important appointment and, as with any decision of this magnitude, a great deal of due diligence has been undertaken.
“I would like to thank Kevin McDonald for stepping up and leading the side over the past six matches.
“Kevin has conducted himself admirably throughout, both on and off the field, securing some important results for the club.
“We had a conversation over the weekend, and agreed that following the EFL Trophy game against Manchester City Under-21s, would come the right time for Kevin to step back into the dressing room as a player.
“Mark Trueman is no stranger to this role, and has our full backing and confidence heading into this weekend’s FA Cup first round visit of Wycombe.
“The next update we provide will be the unveiling of our new men’s first-team manager.”
Kevin McDonald said on his final game in charge: “Tonight was a good graft from the lads.
“They committed to what we wanted on and off the ball.
“The second half was slightly frustrating in the fact we did not have as much of the ball or pressure on the ball as we would have liked.
“But we came to do a job, and that was to get the win, which we achieved.
“I said to the lads before the game we have to press high and, if we get it right, the space will be there, and it was.”
McDonald reflected on his time as caretaker player-manager, admitting he has “loved every minute” of his time in charge.
“I have loved the way the lads have bought into what we have tried to do,” he added.
“Saturday has certainly put a downer on it, as we should not have been beaten.
“It has been a hugely positive experience for me, and I hope people enjoyed it at times.
“I appreciate some of the patience with us. This is a results-driven business.
“I am happy we have given the fans a couple of good results, but also disappointed that some did not go our way.
“I have loved every minute of it.”
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BRADFORD MANAGER
(BetVictor – 1st Nov 2023)
Danny Cowley – 1/2
Dean Holden – 2/1
Graham Alexander – 8/1
Leam Richardson – 8/1
Sam Allardyce – 25/1
Karl Robinson – 25/1
As mentioned, Bradford City fans express frustration as update is given on the search for a new manager…
@1903bw: We have announced another caretaker 😭😭😭
@IHemmens: Absolutely ridiculous situation, taken over 4 weeks to get to this. MK had it sorted in 2 days!
@Addybak: An update is welcome but I have to say it’s worrying it is still who rather than when.
@jonnye2689: Bye bye Ryan please hand in your notice
@jack_thompson11: Taken nearly a month to announce we have a second caretaker manager. Couldn’t organise a pop and crisps party
@Ant_Mcnulty: Just resign Sparks. You’re way out of your depth.
@sm_carl: If it ends up being someone linked with the role from the start, then the length of time taken will be questioned. I do fear that since sacking Hughes, there are a number of clubs above us looking for managers & by taking our time, we could lose the candidate we wanted #bcafc
@markg80: Do you remember Julian Rhodes due diligence when appointing the CEO? Spent 18 months doing it, likely at some considerable cost and gave it to the social media guy he wanted to give it to in the first place
@LJS1903: That’s an FA Cup exit then
@burkeybcfc: It’s actually laughable
@jameschamley: Will have taken over a month to appoint a new manager in the middle of a season, absolutely ridiculous. Ryan needs to do the right thing and walk away, tell Rupp to find someone not completely out of their depth.
@sm_carl: If it ends up being someone linked with the role from the start, then the length of time taken will be questioned. I do fear that since sacking Hughes, there are a number of clubs above us looking for managers & by taking our time, we could lose the candidate we wanted #bcafc
@DatCorgiMun: It’s taken you 4 fucking weeks to get to ‘final’ interviews? Sparks is bricking it #sparksout #ruppout #bcafc
@BcfcDresser: Ryan’s proper nervous about this one isn’t he.
@lofty2021: Not the old “due diligence” again 😂 #bcafc
@McDermottJulian: Is it true that we didn’t even start looking for a new manager until after the MK Don’s game? If this is true, then this is an absolute disgrace, and you all need to go.
@nige_airevalley: CEO Should RESIGN now or in near future. Changing manager won’t save him this time. A Total lack of respect for fanbase.
@Ashh1390: Absolute shitshow. The lack of communication has been a joke. Has a club ever had two caretakers in one manager search? #bcafc
@WillFlanders: What an absolute shambles. Who in their right mind would want to work for Sparks?
@specharlg: Time to go sparks, just pure neglect at this point
@joshhull14: Waited a month for our ceo to release a statement saying ‘weve nearly appointed a manager’ and that a bloke he’s previously sacked is going to be our 2nd caretaker, how can anyone still defend him🤣 #bcafc
@Riccles05: I cannot believe this statement. It’s been a month and we’re still doing interviews! The ideal candidate was in the T&A the day after Hughes left saying it was a wonderful opportunity. Now it’s taken that long we’ve had to replace the caretaker 😂 #bcafc
@PhilBradbury87: McDonald has had enough of being the scapegoat. In 4 weeks, the caretaker has been replaced by another caretaker with due diligence…🤣 Sparks has either pulled the plug on the main candidate or he himself has had second thoughts. The writing is on the wall for Sparks #bcafc
@kreuzbergwhat: HAHAHAHAHAH McDonald said fuck this shit and we’ve had to appoint a second interim manager in 4 weeks. We are an absolute joke #bcafc
@Riccles05: What the fuck is going on?! Changing caretaker it’s taken that long 😂😂😂😂 fuck off Ryan you clueless tool! #bcafc
@jaywhitebcafc: ‘Currently staging final interviews’ it’s been four bastard weeks how has it taken this long?! #bcafc
@SheldonBrennan1: What a fucking shambles someone get that cunt out #bcafc
“Assistant to the Caretaker Manager” announced #bcafc pic.twitter.com/cHxtgXY4QX
— Callum Booth (@CalBooth14) October 31, 2023
So we’ve announced a caretaker to the caretaker, well worth the wait pic.twitter.com/D6JnIkBlDo
— ßen (@BCAFCBH) October 31, 2023
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