Paul Jewell's resignation means Bradford City will soon have to start the search for their 33rd manager with skipper Stuart McCall an early favourite.

The news that Jewell wants to quit Valley Parade has thrown City's plans for next season into disarray with their European debut under a fortnight away.

Chairman Geoffrey Richmond turned down the resignation but it seems certain that Jewell's tenure as City boss is over.

The City chief said today: "There will be another statement issued by the club within the next 24 hours."

City must move quickly but are boosted by having an heir apparent in McCall, who returned to the club two years ago after spells with Rangers and Everton.

The inspirational captain is away on holiday at the moment and could not be contacted by the Telegraph & Argus today.

But he said in his recent autobiography, written before he re-joined City, that he would like to be manager at Valley Parade.

He wrote in 1998: "Only last year when Chris Kamara was sacked, I got a call asking me if I wanted the job. It wasn't a direct approach but I got the message that if I wanted the job it was mine.

"I was genuinely flattered but the timing wasn't right. I still felt as though I had got enough left in me for two more years without taking on that extra burden. However it is one thing I would really want to do in the future."

City Gent editor Dave Pendleton said: "The club are going to have to sort this out very quickly.

"Stuart McCall is a legendary figure but I can't even think about a possible successor at the moment because I am so stunned by what has happened."

One possible contender for the job is former Barnsley boss Danny Wilson who was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday but McCall is the overriding favourite.

Meanwhile, Jewell's future remains uncertain after he stressed he does not have a new job lined up.

However his former club Wigan have already been linked with a possible move for Jewell to replace John Benson.

The Second Division-club are funded by Bradford-born Dave Whelan.

The multi-millionaire is head of JJB Sports and is determined to bring success to a town which is much more tuned to rugby league.

Other clubs looking for new managers include Wednesday, who were relegated from the Premiership at the end of last season, and Second Division Bristol City.

Liverpool-born Jewell guided City to automatic promotion from the First Division in his first full season. And the manner in which he led City to survival will have impressed many in the game.