Stuart McCall returns to Bradford City for second stint as manager

Stuart McCall has been appointed the Bradford City manager for a second time after signing a two year contract to replace Phil Parkinson, who left to join Bolton almost two weeks ago.

McCall left Valley Parade following a largely disappointing three year spell as manager back in 2010. He's since managed in Scotland at both Motherwell and Glasgow Rangers, and was also part of Gordon Strachan's coaching set-up with the Scottish national team.

Bradford fans will also remember McCall fondly from his two stints as a player at Valley Parade. He made his debut as an 18 year old in 1982, before leaving to join Everton in 1988 and moving onto Rangers three years later. After seven years north of the border McCall returned to Bradford to help them win promotion to the Premier League in 1999 before leaving to join Sheffield United in 2002, where he would end his playing career.

McCall will be assisted in his new role by trusted right-hand man Kenny Black, who worked alongside the former Scottish international at both Motherwell and Rangers.

McCall: “I’m delighted to be back at this great club and I'm looking forward to the exciting challenge ahead. Over the next few days I will be getting to know the staff and working with the chairmen on building a competitive squad for the new season.”

Chief Operating Officer James Mason: “Bradford City is a very different club to the one Stuart first managed and clearly he is a different, far more experienced manager today. “The platform and professionalism we can now offer his team has changed for the better. It's a platform for success. However, no ‘one’ individual can succeed without the support of everyone around them.

“Now is the time for everyone connected with Bradford City to come together and back Stuart and Kenny and show everyone what a special club we are. The fans have a crucial role to play in our success as do the staff, the players and officials. We’ll have a better chance of success if we all pull in the same direction.”

Co-owner Stefan Rupp: "Stuart’s fondness for Bradford City is evidently deep-rooted. He deserves this opportunity and I know the fans will join me in wishing him every success.

“Since his first spell as manager of Bradford City, Stuart has gone on to prove his credentials during a very successful spell at Motherwell and in the last couple of years has gained international coaching experience as Gordon Strachan’s assistant.

“Whilst we considered a number of high-calibre applicants for the post of manager, we were clearly of the view that Stuart was the best man to take the club forward. We look forward to working with him."

McCall will be formally unveiled at a press conference tomorrow.