City are moving close to naming their new manager - but it will not be Bryan Robson.

The administrators hold the key to any appointment and hush-hush talks are understood to be taking place this week.

Colin Todd, last season's No 2, is emerging as the strongest contender, although it is believed that senior players David Wetherall and Wayne Jacobs could also be in the mix.

Robson is understood to have ruled himself out last night after being contacted by the club.

It is believed the financial constraints the former England captain would have had to work under have persuaded him to consider other options.

The Bantams ideally need to have someone in place soon as other clubs pick up the best of the hundreds of freed players currently available. But managing director Shaun Harvey stressed they would not panic if the post was not filled by the start of pre-season training on July 1.

Harvey said: "If a permanent manager isn't in place when the players return, then somebody will need to occupy the role in either a temporary or caretaker capacity."

City are due to kick off their warm-up programme against Harrogate Town on Friday, July 9 - 24 hours after the Football League make a final decision on the club's position.

Providing the league are happy, City will travel to Wetherby Road to face the Conference North side, who are led by former Blackburn and Wolves midfielder Mark Atkins.

After the annual trip to Farsley on July 17, City's first league opposition are Darlington, who they will meet at the New Stadium on July 21.

The Bantams then face two Premiership sides in the space of four days at Valley Parade. Bolton visit as part of Jacobs' testimonial on Saturday, July 24, then Middlesbrough are the opponents on July 27.

City head for Coca-Cola League new boys Shrewsbury on July 31 before making the short hop to Chris Wilder's Halifax for the final friendly at The Shay on August 3.