Sheffield United's decision not to name Stuart McCall straight away as Neil Warnock's successor is a positive sign for City.

McCall, long-term favourite for the Valley Parade hot-seat, is in the running for the vacancy at Bramall Lane.

But City fans desperate to see him come back will cling to the fact that he has not already been offered the job after yesterday's press conference to announce Warnock's departure.

Former team-mate Jamie Lawrence, who played alongside McCall in the City engine room during the glory years of Premiership promotion and survival, certainly believes it is good news.

"Stuart is a very proud person and that could work in Bradford's favour," said Lawrence.

"If he's not sure about it at Sheffield United, then he knows there is another club who would love to have him there.

"I personally think Stuart needs to go to Bradford. It's a great challenge for him but everything has to be in place.

"You can't expect to get him there under false pretences. He knows how difficult it will be but I can also see him relishing the opportunity - and Bradford need someone like Stuart to pick them up.

"He's learned the coaching side from working with Warnock and has got all the attributes to be a manager. He can be ruthless when he has to be but he also knows which players you need to put an arm round.

"He is a diplomat as well, which is so important in management. Having seen him as a player and knowing what character he is, I've got no worries about him stepping up at Bradford and taking them back to places where they should be.

"It really cuts me up to see Bradford struggling in the bottom division at the moment but if anyone can turn them round it's Stuart.

"He always played with so much heart and he'd expect his team to do the same. If they weren't doing it, they wouldn't be out there.

"That's what I loved about Paul Jewell and why Bradford have never been the same since he left.

"The fans expect their team to go out there every week and give it a right go and play with passion. That's how Stuart played the game."

Chairman Julian Rhodes declined to comment on what the latest developments at the Blades will mean to City's own managerial hunt, although the Telegraph & Argus understands that the McCall situation should be clarified within the next day or so.

Rhodes' self-imposed deadline to name a new boss runs out at the end of the week and the club's retained list must be registered with the authorities by Saturday. At the moment four players are still waiting to find out if they will be offered fresh deals.

Sheffield United plc chairman Kevin McCabe is known to be a big fan of McCall but has also hinted that he is looking for a manager with recognised experience. Chris Coleman, recently sacked by Fulham, is believed to be a strong contender.

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