Next Bradford City Manager Odds: Michael Duff Odds-On Favourite to Replace Graham Alexander
Bradford City have confirmed the departures of head coach Graham Alexander and assistant Chris Lucketti, with Alexander making an emotional return to Preston North End less than three years after leaving Deepdale as a player.
Alexander had been in charge since November 2023, narrowly missing out on the League Two play-offs in his first season before guiding the Bantams to automatic promotion the following campaign and a League One play-off semi-final against Bolton Wanderers last term.
First-team coach Mark Trueman has been placed in interim charge alongside goalkeeping coach Colin Doyle, with Bradford currently top of League One and reportedly set to receive around £500,000 in compensation to help fund the search for a permanent replacement.
BetVictor have now opened a market on the next Bradford manager, with former Wycombe Wanderers boss Michael Duff installed as the clear favourite ahead of Gary Rowett, Dave Challinor, Stephen Bradley and interim boss Trueman.
Punters looking to compare the latest betting sites can also check out the latest free bets before getting involved.
Next Bradford City Manager Odds
League One betting odds have Bradford at 6/1 to win the title outright as of early October, with bookmakers still pricing in plenty of competition from the chasing pack.
With a promotion push potentially at stake, the identity of Alexander's successor could prove more important than usual.
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Michael Duff | 4/7 |
| Gary Rowett | 2/1 |
| Dave Challinor | 3/1 |
| Stephen Bradley | 16/1 |
| Mark Trueman | 20/1 |
| Nigel Clough | 20/1 |
| Paul Heckingbottom | 25/1 |
Odds correct as of 2 October 2026 - courtesy of BetVictor.
Michael Duff
Michael Duff is the clear favourite after leaving Wycombe Wanderers on 8 September following a five-game winless start, having previously guided Cheltenham Town into League One and taken Barnsley to the League One play-off final in 2023.
The 48-year-old has since managed Swansea City and Huddersfield Town, giving him experience across the Championship and League One, and he reportedly emerged as Bradford's preferred option after Paul Heckingbottom withdrew from the process.
Duff would have to serve a one-match touchline ban and pay a £1,000 fine following an FA misconduct charge relating to his red card against Sheffield Wednesday, meaning he would watch his first game from the stands if appointed.
Gary Rowett
Gary Rowett has been available since leaving Leicester City following their relegation to League One last season, having taken charge for the Foxes' final 14 games of the campaign.
The 52-year-old has spent much of his career in the Championship, managing Birmingham City, Derby County, Stoke City, Millwall and Oxford United, but has indicated he is open to dropping down the divisions for the right building project.
Journalist Alan Nixon reported on 1 October that Rowett had emerged as a contender for the Bradford job, although his long-standing Championship experience could make a move to League One more difficult to negotiate.
Dave Challinor
Dave Challinor has been available since leaving Stockport County by mutual consent in June, having guided the Hatters from the National League to back-to-back third-placed League One finishes and a play-off final at Wembley, where they lost 4-1 to Bolton Wanderers.
He was strongly linked with Blackburn Rovers after leaving Edgeley Park, but Rovers appointed Tony Mowbray instead, while a reported approach from Wycombe Wanderers in September also failed to materialise, leaving Challinor without a club.
His recent record of building competitive League One teams on a modest budget could make him an appealing option for Bradford if they want to maintain their strong start to the season.
Stephen Bradley
Stephen Bradley has managed Shamrock Rovers since July 2016 and has established himself as one of the League of Ireland's most successful current managers, but remains under contract in Dublin.
He emerged as the favourite for the vacant Hibernian job last month following David Gray's sacking, but opted to stay with Shamrock Rovers for their title run-in, with Hibs eventually appointing Marink Reedijk.
Having recently turned down a move to Hibs, a switch to Bradford during the season looks difficult to see happening, although his impressive record explains why he features prominently in the betting.
Mark Trueman
Mark Trueman is already in interim charge after previously working as part of Alexander's coaching staff, while he has also managed Bradford before, taking permanent charge alongside Conor Sellars in February 2021 following Stuart McCall's departure.
The Bradford-born coach has been part of the club for several years and, with the Bantams top of League One, his existing relationships and knowledge of the squad could count in his favour.
Chief executive Ryan Sparks has also praised Trueman's work since taking over, although he remains a 20/1 outsider in the market.
For now, Trueman and Doyle remain in interim charge, with Bradford's next game away to Reading on Saturday 3 October.
This page will be updated if a frontrunner emerges or a permanent appointment is confirmed.
