David Hopkin has resigned as manager of Bradford City after less than six months in charge.
Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Walsall left the Bantams twenty-third in League One, just four points above bottom side AFC Wimbledon. It was Hopkin’s final game in charge after taking over from Michael Collins in September. The forty-eight-year-old Scot only managed seven victories in his thirty-five-game spell at the helm.
Bradford’s poor display at the weekend came against a Walsall side who played over eighty minutes of the match with ten men after having top scorer Andy Cook sent off for an elbow on Nathaniel Knight-Percival. The Saddlers had lost their previous five league games in a terrible run that had dragged them into the League One relegation battle.
In a statement on the club’s website, Hopkin said: “I am disappointed but feel the time is right for me to step aside and allow someone to come in and attempt to keep the club in League One.”
“I have given my all over the past six months. I took on a tough job and have left no stone unturned in my efforts to help us climb the table.”
“The club means a great deal to me, as a former player, and that is why I have made this decision – with a quarter of the season remaining.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible Bradford City fans. This has been a hugely difficult season for everyone involved, and they have shown me a great deal of support. I wish the club the very best for the future.”
Hopkin’s departure leaves Bradford searching for their fourth permanent manager since the sacking of Stuart McCall in February 2018.
The Bantams are three points from safety with twelve league fixtures remaining.
First-team coach Martin Drury will take charge for Saturday’s match against Portsmouth, and will be assisted in the Fratton Park technical area by Anton McElhone.
Supporters soon took to social media to react to the statement. The club is sadly in turmoil, and the mixed reaction to the news reflects this, with Hopkin, the owners and the players all coming in for criticism. Here is a selection of their responses on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/tompearson94/status/1099976415792058373
https://twitter.com/Mrpeter555/status/1099974202914947077
https://twitter.com/bottslock32/status/1099970224458289153
https://twitter.com/Mr_Stozza/status/1099972968376078336
https://twitter.com/AndrewAndylivi/status/1099973525044187138
https://twitter.com/AaronBower/status/1099976790825730048
https://twitter.com/burkeybcfc/status/1099969299899396102
https://twitter.com/DucksWrestling/status/1099978332148547584
https://twitter.com/jmazurke/status/1099970197442711553
https://twitter.com/TomStirk1992/status/1099986532193239041
