Bradford eager to tie Taylor to longer contract

The Bantams turned to the 57-year-old midway through last month on an interim basis following Stuart McCall's decision to quit.

City have since won four and drawn one of nine games under Taylor and the Valley Parade board are keen to tie down the former Hull City manager on a longer contract.

Initial talks between Taylor and the club took place last week with further discussions being held yesterday.

Joint chairman Rhodes said: "We have had a chat about next year and, hopefully, we can get things resolved within the next two to three weeks.

"We have chatted about the budgets for next season and I feel the preliminary talks went well. Peter certainly seems to be enjoying the job while we have also been happy with the progress being made.

"It would be great to move it on and get things sorted out. What we would really like to see is what Peter could do next season with a squad he has assembled himself."

Taylor may have only been in charge of City for five weeks but his influence has been keenly felt at Valley Parade with six new loan signings having arrived and another possibly joining before today's 5pm deadline.

Veteran trio Chris Brandon, Peter Thorne and Michael Boulding have also had their contracts paid up as part of the club's re-building plans ahead of next season.

Rhodes added: "We have been impressed with the job Peter has done, even in this short space of time.

"The organisation of the team has been impressive and it is clear he knows what is required to get the best out of a squad at this level, which is of course what we all want at Bradford City."

Taylor arrived at Bradford with an impressive CV boasting two previous promotion successes from the basement division with Hull City in 2004 and Wycombe Wanderers last term.

He also led Gillingham out of the third tier in 2000 via the play-offs, Brighton as champions two years later and Hull in 2005.

Taylor, who has been assisted at Valley Parade by Junior Lewis and Wayne Jacobs, beat off stiff competition from Peter Jackson, Russell Slade, Martin Allen, Jim Magilton and Steve Cotterill to land the City job.

His quartet of victories as Bantams manager include a 3-1 triumph at runaway leaders Rochdale and a 2-1 success against promotion-chasing Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium.