Bradford City’s hunt for a new manager has suffered a major setback, as one of their top targets has turned down the opportunity to meet with the club.
The Bantams are reported to have approached former MK Dons and Oxford United manager Karl Robinson, but he is seemingly not interested. Pete O’Rourke, a respected and reputable voice in the football journalism world, has revealed that the 43-year-old has turned down the chance to speak to them.
Former Leeds assistant manager and ex-Oxford boss Karl Robinson has turned down the opportunity to have talks with Bradford City over the vacant manager’s job at the League Two club. #bcafc
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) October 22, 2023
Robinson, who has been out of work since leaving his post as Leeds United assistant manager last season, was also reported to have turned down Fleetwood Town earlier in the season after they sacked manager Scott Brown. Whilst neither that news nor the Bradford news is officially confirmed, it seems that Robinson is willing to bide his time before making a return to the game.
He made three top-ten finishes in his final three full seasons at Oxford, having previously earned promotion to the Championship with MK Dons. At 43, he is still classed as an exciting young coach, having first taken over at MK Dons when he was just 29.
Bradford are without a manager, having sacked Mark Hughes in early October. Since then, the Bantams have picked up seven points from nine in League Two and beaten Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy. Caretaker Kevin McDonald is among the front runners to take the job permanently given that form, but others are also in the frame.
Whilst Robinson will not be speaking to the club, former Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley could still be in contention – he’s the favourite for the role, a position he also occupies for the vacant post at his former club.
With Bradford 11th in the table, just three points outside the play-offs, whoever does take over is in a prime position to push League Two’s biggest club towards a promotion push.
Writer’s View
Is there a bigger job in League Two than Bradford City? Almost certainly not. They’re big enough for regular Championship football, and that heaps early expectation on any manager who is approached.
It’s a huge surprise that Robinson did not take the chance to hook up with the team at Valley Parade. Despite a decent showing at Oxford, he never managed to push them to a position of serious promotion candidates, despite having a talented squad, and this season, free of his shackles, they’re flying.
If he’s hoping for a job in League One, a team bigger than Fleetwood, he may be waiting some time.
