It’s a sign of old age when policemen start looking a lot younger.

And now it seems to be the case with football managers.

Former City youngster Inderjeet Aujla has just been handed the reins at Belgian club RRC Montegnee – at the age of 24.

Aujla, who was once named young player of the year at Valley Parade, is still involved on the pitch. But he is enjoying the joint-role that has been thrust on him by club president Peter Johnson.

He said: “It came a little bit out the blue but I’d been at the club the longest out of all the players.

“We’ve had two or three changes in management and the chairman wanted to see the season out with the same players. They wanted a familiar face in charge.

“The last coach was a bit of a dictator. I’m going for the democratic style.

“It’s easy on paper when you are in a classroom at Bradford City but I’ve got the skipper helping me out as an assistant and the players have been very good with me.

“We speak through things in the dressing room and try to give players more responsibility. That way you can’t blame anyone.”

At least there is no language barrier to worry about as Aujla is one of four English players in the squad. But a switch to a conventional 4-4-2 had to be shelved because the rest were struggling to get to grips with it.

It’s another addition to a bulging CV for Aujla but he has no intention of taking the job long term. His ambition remains another crack at English football after being released by Colin Todd in 2006.

He added: “It’s just a learning experience for me. The president is well aware that I’m looking for a move this summer when my contract runs out. I want to play for a professional club.”