Bradford plan to take their time replacing McCall

The Bantams are determined not to rush the search for a permanent successor to Stuart McCall following his decision to step down in the wake of last weekend's defeat to Bury.

Instead, City plan to install a temporary replacement to see the club through to the end of the season when a long-term appointment will be made.

Bradford's vacancy is expected to be highly-sought after despite the club having to cut costs last summer following the failure to win promotion from League Two.

Former England Under-21 manager Peter Taylor is one manager who would fit the bill after leading both Hull City and Wycombe Wanderers out of the basement division.

The 57-year-old has been out of work since being sacked at Adams Park in October but is believed to be keen on returning to the game.

Dean Windass is understood to be keen on a return to Valley Parade while former Bradford captain Peter Jackson is another to have been strongly linked over the past 72 hours. Former Barnsley and Huddersfield Town manager Andy Ritchie is another who could be in the frame.

Joint chairman Rhodes last night told the Yorkshire Post: "We have already had several applications, which Mark (Lawn, the other joint chairman) and I are sifting through now.

"The plan is to interview on Thursday with a view to making an appointment for the rest of the season.

"We would envisage speaking to maybe four or five applicants and then making a decision after that.

"We are not setting a time limit in terms of getting the caretaker manager in before the Grimsby game on Saturday or anything like that, though obviously the earlier we can bring someone in the better."

Assistant manager Wayne Jacobs, who has five months remaining on his contract at Valley Parade and is likely to be interested in the post, will take training until an interim appointment is made.

McCall had 18 months remaining on his own deal but has agreed a financial settlement that Rhodes describes as "reasonable, affordable and by no means as much as he could have been entitled to".

Bradford's joint chairman added: "It only took 60 seconds to sort out the terms and that shows just how deeply Stuart cares for Bradford City.

"He knows what position the club is in financially. He is a very genuine man who has always wanted what is best for the club."

McCall's decision to resign came after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Bury, City's sixth in nine league outings.

However, the seed was planted in his mind a fortnight or so earlier with the former Scotland international admitting he planned to quit if the Bantams had not won at Torquay United 10 days ago.

A stoppage-time strike by Gareth Evans subsequently earned City all three points at Plainmoor.

McCall said: "I sat down with Julian a couple of weeks ago and we discussed the situation.

"We both came to the same conclusion and I decided if we didn't win at Torquay that would be it. We even got as far as discussing the settlement I would have on my remaining 18 months.

"But because we won and had two home games against Bury and Grimsby coming up, I thought we might just get ourselves back into the play-off race.

"Unfortunately, it was not to be and I decided at the final whistle on Saturday that I should go."

McCall deservedly enjoys legendary status at Valley Parade after helping his beloved club lift the Third Division title in 1985.

After successful spells away with Everton and Rangers, he then returned as captain and led City into the Premier League.

The 45-year-old's appointment as manager in 2007 was, unsurprisingly, heralded by supporters but Bradford could only finish 10th and ninth in his two full seasons in charge. Saturday's defeat to Bury left the club in 16th place.

McCall, who was Neil Warnock's assistant at Sheffield United before returning to Valley Parade, said: "I honestly don't know what I will do next. I love being involved in football, I love coaching.

"The only certainty is I will soon be back at Valley Parade supporting Bradford City as a fan.

"I don't regret coming back here as manager, I just regret how it has turned out. I would have loved to have helped halt the decline of the past few years.

"Whoever replaces me will be taking over a great job. The staff here are fantastic and it was very emotional saying goodbye to them (yesterday), as it was the players.

"Wayne (Jacobs) is in charge of the team now and it could not be in a better pair of hands."

HOW MCCALL FARED AS BOSS

Stuart McCall was manager of Bradford from May 22, 2007.

He was in charge for 133 games.

City won 46 matches under his control, drew 35 and lost 52.