Bradford patient as Heckingbottom pulls out of race

[BBC Sport] Paul Heckingbottom has been replaced at Preston by Graham Alexander but it does not appear he will be going in the opposite direction [Getty Images] Well, what now? The departure of promotion-winning manager Graham Alexander to Championship club Preston North End has left many Bradford City supporters in the sorry wilderness of feeling second best. Not since 1983 has the club had its manager poached mid-season, with tales of Roy McFarland's contentious exit to Derby County providing little comfort in the post-Alexander healing process. Alexander brought 79 wins from 158 games, the best home-record of any side across Europe's top five leagues and the EFL in 2025, and the 90+6' promotion-winning moment against Fleetwood two seasons ago but now Grezza is gone and Bradford City must move on. That does not mean forgetting everything that has been built over the last three years though. The Bantams are the early leaders in League One and have reached that point with a distinctive style of play that has been specifically recruited for. The blueprint Alexander leaves behind must be embraced with pragmatism and continuation. The players are very clear on what their roles are and the supporters are very clear on what to expect from their team. That is something I know the Bradford board are acutely aware of. So, who takes on that responsibility? Conversations are naturally taking place, with interest in the managerial vacancy being shown as early as Friday last week. The club are also prepared to pay a working manager out of their contract, if they feel that candidate is the right fit. The early names to emerge are available duo of Michael Duff and Dave Challinor and Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley. One name it looks like we can chalk off the list is the man Alexander replaced at Preston. Paul Heckingbottom made 104 appearances for Bradford City over two spells as a player and he has had success at this level with Barnsley, as well as winning promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United. However, it is understood the 49-year-old has withdrawn himself from the process. Of the three names above it is Duff, a former Burnley team-mate of Alexander's, who potentially makes most sense. A promotion to League One with Cheltenham Town in 2021 and a League One play-off final finish with Barnsley two years later make him an experienced operator in the lower levels. His spells with Wycombe Wanderers and Huddersfield Town – clubs both operating in the third tier – have not gone as well but it could be argued both ended prematurely. He shared a dressing room with Alexander for many years and with that comes cultural consistency, you only need to hear their press conferences to realise that. Only recently out of work following his sacking at Adams Park at the start of September, his appointment wouldn't cost the club any money. What does remain clear is the board's patience in making the right decision as they look to maintain their push for a possible promotion to the Championship. A number of names are being monitored, some of which have not been mentioned in the public domain. Existing coaches Mark Trueman and Colin Doyle are taking charge of the team on an interim basis and are likely to be in the dugout for the game at Reading this Saturday. All the latest Bradford City news