Former Sheffield United boss 'favourite' to replace departed manager at Sheffield Wednesday's League One rivals
Preston North End have appointed Graham Alexander as their new boss, and a former Sheffield United manager could be set to replace him at Bradford City.
Former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to become Bradford City’s new boss.
Bradford, who are currently top League One, one point ahead of Sheffield Wednesday, are on the hunt for a new manager after losing Graham Alexander to Preston North End.
Alexander was unveiled as Preston’s new boss on Monday morning, bringing his three-year stint as Bantams boss to an end.
Preston have swooped for Alexander, who played more than 400 games for the Deepdale outfit during his career, after sacking Heckingbottom earlier this month. The former Blades boss and ex-Wednesday defender was dismissed after overseeing six defeats in Preston’s first seven Championship matches.
In what would be a fairly unique situation that could see Alexander and Heckingbottom essentially swap roles, the latter has been cut to even odds in the race to become the next manager at Valley Parade.
According to odds compiled by BettingLounge, as cited by the Telegraph & Argus, Heckingbottom is now the favourite to replace Alexander ahead of Stuart McCall, who worked alongside Heckingbottom at both Bramall Lane and Preston.
Other leading contenders for the Bantams job, according to the bookmaker, include Reading boss Leam Richardson and Plymouth Argyle chief Tom Cleverley. Former Stockport County boss Dave Challinor is currently priced at 8/1.
It was reported over the weekend by journalist Alan Nixon that Heckingbottom, who has not managed in League One since leading Barnsley to promotion via the play-off final in 2015/16, was on Bradford’s ‘wanted list’.