Sparks: Caretaker Trueman can win back Bradford City fans

Former boss Trueman has once again been handed the caretaker reins following yesterday’s sacking of Derek Adams.

Plenty of names have already been thrown at the Valley Parade vacancy – although Michael Flynn, who City would have been keen to talk to, has since taken the Walsall hot-seat.

Grant McCann is the early bookies’ favourite – but may not want to drop down after recently managing in the Championship with Hull - and Steve Evans and Halifax manager Pete Wild are others high up in the odds.

Despite reports, it is understood that City have not received an application from former star Benito Carbone at this stage.

But it is Trueman who will take charge for a second stint this weekend at Oldham – and chief executive Ryan Sparks has full faith in Adams’ former number two.

After the divisive feel at games towards the end of the Scot’s reign, Sparks believes that Trueman can help get the fans back onside – while also receiving the appreciation he missed out on behind closed doors last season.

Sparks said: “If you cut Mark in half, he’s claret and amber. He’s Bradford City through and through.

“He understands what is required from him at this stage and I’m sure he will take the role on, while he’s in it, with full strength and give it everything.

“We’ve turned to Mark Trueman and put him in charge over a number of people who have contacted the club and said they would take it for however long.

“We’ve put our faith in Mark at this point. It’s about judgement and we believe he’s ready for this opportunity to take charge on a temporary basis.”

Trueman and Conor Sellars were at the helm for 30 games last season, winning 13 to take City from third-from-bottom to the edge of the play-offs. But a poor run of only one point from the last seven games saw them replaced in May.

“It was probably quite heart-breaking for him when we made the change in the summer,” added Sparks. “But he understood it because that’s the kind of man he is.

“If he looks back now, he’ll probably say he’s learned and developed from it.

“He was able to be taken out of that position and work then in a different environment. He’ll have learned a great deal from Derek Adams as well and I’m sure he’ll benefit from it.

“My relationship with Mark is spot-on and I didn’t have to convince him very hard to take the caretaker role. He was ready to go.

Mark Trueman with Finn Cousin-Dawson after a win over Cambridge last season (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

“The most important part for me, and many people in this city, will be to see Mark get a reception.

“He close to single-handedly saved this club from relegation last season and deserves immense credit for that, which he never received.

“He never got the chance to manage in front of the fanbase that we are so proud to have and now he will.

“Ticket sales are strong for the Oldham game now and there’s going to be a real atmosphere.

“Mark defines a club man and I’ve a lot of respect for him. But in the same breath, he knows what’s required.

“He knows where we need to be and I’m sure he will be doing everything he can to get us there.”

Adams was at the training ground yesterday to say his goodbyes after being axed eight months into his three-year contract.

He left with City eight points adrift of the play-off places having lost three of their last five games.

Sparks said: “It was a big decision and one we spent a lot of time considering. When we took it all into account, the decision was to move in a different direction.

“You’d never go into a season planning to sack a manager but unfortunately things haven’t gone as we hoped and we decided to make the change.

“People will aim that at the football club but it’s not something of a concern. The concern is how we move forward from this.

“In 2013, the club were 11th in the table after 31 matches and went on to achieve promotion.

“We think there’s still a season left to fight for and we’ve decided we want to have a go at it and we’ve changed the manager.

“I’m sure the players will be pulling together with Mark and I hope they can put on a show that we can enjoy.

“Mark is such a selfless person and has done so many great things for this football club.

“Behind the scenes, he’s been working away in the youth department for years. He’s had his opportunity last year which he grabbed with both hands and he broke club records.

“He’s now more experienced to take on a very different challenge from the middle of the division.

“Had we had arguably our biggest asset in the grounds last season, the fans, then Mark’s tenure could have ended very differently.

“I hope our supporters can play a huge part in his efforts on Saturday and potentially beyond.”