Bradford City legend Stuart McCall in talks to return as manager at Valley Parade

STUART MCCALL is closing in on a return to Bradford City as manager, The Yorkshire Post understands.
Stuart McCall, during his time at Motherwell. Picture: Jeff Holmes/PAStuart McCall, during his time at Motherwell. Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA
Stuart McCall, during his time at Motherwell. Picture: Jeff Holmes/PA

The 52-year-old has moved to the top of the Bantams’ wanted list following last week’s shock departure of Phil Parkinson to Bolton Wanderers.

New owners Edin Rahic and Stefan Rupp have spent the past week searching for a replacement and are understood to have locked on to McCall, who had three years as City manager before leaving Valley Parade in February, 2010.

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Talks are understood to have taken place between the Bradford hierarchy and McCall over a possible return to a club he served with distinction in two different spells as a player.

Those discussions are expected to be stepped up next week when Rupp arrives in England from Germany. If a deal can be finalised – and sources have been quick to stress there is still work to do in that respect – McCall would give up his job as Gordon Strachan’s assistant with the Scotland national team.

McCall, who is believed to be keen to succeed Parkinson, is regarded as a club legend by supporters, even though his previous spell at the helm failed to bring the success he had enjoyed as a player.

Since calling time on that first stint after 133 games, McCall had four years as manager of Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League. He led the club to a second-placed finish and a first appearance in the Champions League.

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McCall, linked with Doncaster Rovers during his time at Fir Park, quit in November, 2014, and was a short-term appointment by former club Rangers the following March.

The Glasgow giants failed to win promotion, losing in the play-offs to Motherwell, and later that summer turned to Mark Warburton.