Bantams legend McCall is back for second spell as Bradford boss

STUART McCALL is set to be confirmed as Bradford City's new manager later today.
Former Bradford City player and manager Stuart McCall is to return to Valley Parade for a second spell as the Bantams boss (Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA).Former Bradford City player and manager Stuart McCall is to return to Valley Parade for a second spell as the Bantams boss (Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA).
Former Bradford City player and manager Stuart McCall is to return to Valley Parade for a second spell as the Bantams boss (Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA).

The Bantams legend spoke with club officials last week about the prospect of returning to Valley Parade and managing the club for a second time and The Yorkshire Post understands that he is likely to be announced as Phil Parkinson’s successor and sign a contract to be the club’s new boss today.

McCall will be assisted by his former Motherwell No 2 Kenny Black and the rest of his backroom staff are likely to be confirmed shortly.

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A press conference unveiling McCall is expected to take place later this week.

The Scot had been on a family holiday until last weekend, but is understood to have interrupted his break to speak with Bradford officials about a return to West Yorkshire, with new owners Edin Rahic and Stefan Rupp having identified him as their number one choice to replace Parkinson.

McCall’s appointment will prove popular with Bradford supporters, with the midfielder serving the Bantams with distinction for 10 years in two different spells. McCall then managed the club between 2007 and 2010 before taking charge of Motherwell and Rangers.

McCall took over the latter on a short-term basis in March 2015 after the departure of Kenny McDowall, but left months later to make way for Mark Warburton, and has been out of club football for the past year.

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He has continued to work with Scotland as part of Gordon Strachan’s coaching staff after joining the set-up in 2013, but will relinquish that position upon moving to Bradford.

Speaking recently, while on international duty with Scotland, about his desire to return to club management, McCall said: “Being away for 12 days with Scotland and back on the training field reminded me what it’s all about.

“I am a coach and a manager and I want to be out there working with the players.

“I have had a bit of time out since Rangers. There have been opportunities north and south of the border, but once you have been at Rangers and had 50,000 people there, it is difficult to go elsewhere.

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“But I always said that I would actively look to get back in this summer. I want to get hold of a team and believe I could be successful with them.

“I was 52 (earlier this month) and I still feel you need a lot of old values, but with modern thinking. You need that mixture and that’s how I see myself personally.

“It’s very different to when I first went in at Bradford. Going into the bottom league and all the expectation around the place, it was hard when you were doing it for the first time.

“But I have gained so much experience since and I am not the same manager.”

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Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Kalmar FF striker Marcus Antonsson.

Antonsson, who is currently leading scorer in Sweden’s top flight, will have a medical with an English club today, Kalmar confirmed over the weekend.

Kalmar president Mattias Rosenlund refused to name the club, who have bid in the region of £1m for Antonsson, and insisted the deal was not complete, but he said an agreement was in place for the 25-year-old Swede to move to England from his homeland.

Antonsson attracted attention with a flurry of 10 goals in 12 games in Sweden’s Allsvenskan division this season.

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He joined Kalmar from Swedish lower league side Halmstads BK last year and has averaged close to a goal from every two matches during his time in the top flight.

In his spell at Halmstads, Antonsson played for a while under Pep Clotet, the Spaniard who was named last week as assistant to new Leeds head coach Garry Monk.

His arrival at Elland Road would be the first stage of United’s attempt to strengthen the attacking end of a squad who struggled in the Championship last term, producing 50 goals in 46 games.

Leeds and Aston Villa have both been linked with Antonsson in the past month.

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Kalmar president Roselund said: “We are in agreement with a club. He will undergo a medical on Monday to check that nothing interferes with the process. That is what we are waiting for.

“We are satisfied with the agreement, that much I can say about it. It will be good for all parties. We’ve agreed and Antonsson has agreed with the club. Formally it is not completed yet.”

Middlesbrough’s hopes of bringing Lee Cattermole back to the club look set to be dashed.

Sunderland’s longest-serving first-team player has been the subject of speculation over a £5m move back to the Riverside, despite the midfield player having another five years to run on his contract.

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The 28-year-old is a boyhood Boro fan and came through the ranks before joining Wigan in 2008, but manager Sam Allardyce is determined to retain him.

Hull City remain linked with bringing Robbie Brady back to the club, but they may look elsewhere because of Norwich’s asking price.

The Republic of Ireland international was sold by Hull to Norwich for £7m, but the relegated Canaries now want £12m for the ex-Manchester United man.

Brady made 36 appearances for Norwich in the last Premier League campaign, scoring three goals.

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Rotherham have missed out on former Celtic striker Anthony Stokes. The 27-year-old, who played under new Millers chief Alan Stubbs at Hibernian last season, has signed a three-year deal.

Sheffield Wednesday are said to be interested in Millwall striker Lee Gregory. The 27-year-old last season netted 27 goals for the Lions, who missed out on promotion.