Bradford City manager timeline emerges after Graham Alexander revelation | OneFootball

A timeline on when Alexander's replacement could be drafted in has been reported

An update has emerged on when Bradford City could confirm Graham Alexander's long-term replacement at Valley Parade as the 54-year-old is set to join Championship side, Preston North End.

It has been reported by local publication, the Telegraph and Argus, that a decision may not be final until the Bantams' upcoming clash with Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

City have enjoyed a fine start to the League One season as they remained top of the table throughout the weekend despite seeing their initially scheduled Yorkshire derby against Barnsley postponed due to international call-ups.

That said, it has hardly been quiet in the first week in which international action has coincided with developments in the third tier, with the West Yorkshire outfit set to become the victims of their own recent success as Alexander is poised to see his return to Deepdale, this time as a manager, confirmed on Monday, September 28th.

It remains to be seen who will eventually take over in the hotseat in BD8 for the remainder of the current season and beyond, even though initial speculation has been rife, but it has become clearer as to when a decision could be made by German owner, Stefan Rupp.

When Bradford City could announce Graham Alexander successor revealed as Preston decision nears

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Indeed, it was first reported last week that Bradford had given the Lilywhites permission to approach Alexander over becoming the latest man in the Deepdale hotseat, after Paul Heckingbottom was previously dismissed by the Lancashire side on September 13th after an initially winless start to the Championship season.

It has since been widely expected that Alexander, who made 410 appearances for North End over two spells as a player, would make his latest managerial switch, and confirmation of the decision is said to come on Monday.

The Telegraph and Argus report that whilst Alexander and Chris Lucketti will move across the Pennines after a £500,000 compensation package was agreed, Mark Trueman is set to oversee matters ahead of Saturday's upcoming fixture with Reading, who are currently ninth in League One themselves.

The 38-year-old has been interim manager of the Bantams on four prior occasions from 2020 to 2023, and is currently being assisted by goalkeeping coach, Colin Doyle.

Bradford City eye Paul Heckingbottom deal amid pending Graham Alexander exit

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With Alexander set to be Heckingbottom's immediate successor at Deepdale, there appears to be a great sense of irony in this managerial saga, as the former Bantams defender has reportedly been earmarked as a potential candidate to take the reins at Valley Parade.

Heckingbottom, 49, made 104 appearances for City as a player, and could be joined at his former club by one of their biggest cult heroes, Stuart McCall, if a deal was to be agreed.

That said, it has unsurprisingly been suggested that Bradford have also looked at other names on their shortlist, whilst some have already been chalked off.

The Barnsley-born man has worked at all three of England's highest levels, and once won promotion from League One with his hometown club through the play-offs in 2016 whilst also enjoying success in the EFL Trophy.

Bradford City will hope to continue momentum despite managerial uncertainty

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During his time in West Yorkshire, Alexander had won 80 of his 150 matches in charge, with Bradford ending a six-year exile from the third tier in the process having finished third in League Two in 2024/25, whilst missing out on successive promotions last term after losing to Bolton Wanderers in the play-off semi-finals.

A move back to Preston will also be his first taste of the Championship in the dugout, which not many could begrudge him of after a stellar record in League One and League Two, as well as in Scotland, over time.

That said, Bradford do have a nice blend of talent and experience within their squad, and supporters will be hoping that whoever emerges as Alexander's successor can continue the club's upward trajectory towards the Championship, having resided outside the second tier for 22 years.