Graham Alexander says Bradford City's new captain embodies their 'values and desires'

The departure of Max Power for a third spell at Wigan Athletic saw the armband passed around in pre-season, but last season's vice-captain will wear it in 2026-27.

Alexander described 34-year-old Sarcevic, who played for him at Fleetwood Town and who he signed for Bradford two years ago, as “a player that has similar values and desires that we all have.”

He added: "Your captain has to represent you and your values. He doesn't have to be you but you have to understand that he's part of what we're trying to create here and what we have created.”

And although Sarcevic will be his new figurehead, Alexander wants others to continue playing an important leadership role too.

"I'm the manager, but I can’t just manage this club on my own, it's impossible” he argued. “It's the same as the captain. The captain cannot lead a group on his own.

"There's too many different personalities and characters there. You can't be in every room all the time.

"You always have to have the environment – the canteen, the gym, the physio room, the changing room, all those places – populated by leaders and people who are going, 'This is what the environment is, this is what it should be.'

"We've had players that haven't had the armband that are still in that group as well – people like Matt Pennington, who's in that leadership group.

"There's several players like that throughout our squad and I want to empower them to dictate, to control this environment, to influence it, to take it to a direction where they want.

"I said this to the whole squad – this is their club, their team, their changing room, make it whatever you want. If it's a bit downbeat, change it. Make it happy.

"I want them to make it the place that they enjoy coming into work and I think that's ambitious, that's hard-working, it's respectful, all those sort of things.

"But obviously, there has to be one captain."

Sarcevic is a key figure with a happy knack of scoring important goals. Mainly used as an inside-right in Alexander's 3-4-2-1 in previous seasons, he is set to play as the more attacking of two deeper central midfielders this term.

“It is a proud moment to be named the captain of this fantastic football club," said Sarcevic, a captain of previous clubs. "Just representing Bradford City as a player is already a massive privilege, so this responsibility is a major honour for me, but also for my family.

“I will always give 100 per cent to this club, you the supporters, and to being your captain. I will strive to ensure we give ourselves the best chance of being successful.

“I feel I have an amazing relationship with all of the supporters, and I thank you for that.

"I hope you know I will do everything to make sure we go on to have another enjoyable and memorable season together.”

Bradford host Rochdale in Saturday’s League Cup. Their league campaign kicks off at home to Peterborough United seven days later.