CITY will unveil their new boss today.
The Telegraph & Argus understands a deal has been done until the end of the season – and the club’s latest manager will be in charge at training.
Former Blackpool boss Gary Bower is the odds-on favourite for the Valley Parade vacancy. He is looking to get back in the game after quitting the Tangerines in the opening week of the season.
Other names to have been mentioned include Paul Hurst, Kevin Nolan and Steve Evans.
The club got their man last night – and he now has 11 games to save City’s League One status.
Martin Drury took temporary control for Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing at Portsmouth, which leaves them six points off safety.
Drury admitted afterwards that the Bantams needed to act swiftly to fill the hot-seat vacated a week ago by David Hopkin.
“It needs to be done as soon as possible,” he said. “I think it’s a matter of urgency.
“The club need to recruit somebody who has got a proven track record of wins – and can win instantly.
“I don’t think it necessarily has to be someone of an older age who’s got the years of experience but somebody with experience of situations like this.
“We need someone who can come in and affect things and knows how to. They need to help the players psychologically because that is such an important part of the game.”
Wins for relegation rivals Oxford and Bristol Rovers added to City’s misery. The heavy defeat at Fratton Park means they have taken only one point from four games – and won just once since New Year’s Day.
Drury has made it clear that he would not be pushing himself forward for the full-time job.
He added: “It’s not a role that interests me in any way. I do care for the players and want to help them as much as I possibly can.
“But I’m just a coach and don’t want to be a manager.
“I want to help this club and want to see people come in who can affect things positively.
“There’s a group of men in the dressing room and none of them want to be called losers. None of them want to get relegated.”
With the danger increasing of a return to League Two after six years, Drury admitted that it is very difficult time for everyone connected with City.
“There are a lot of issues that need addressing,” he said. “But I’ve got a lot of trust and faith in the people that make decisions, Julian and Stefan, that they will make the right ones for the best interests of the club.
“These are times when you find out who are men, who understands life and understands with how you deal with adversity.
“Whatever happens we’ll come strong from this. Unfortunately, right now things need to change.
“But I’ve got trust that people behind the scenes will make that happen.”
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