Hughes took the Bantams to the League Two play-offs last season, losing in the semi-finals to Carlisle United, but he was fired following a 2-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers earlier this month, which dropped the team to 18th in the standings.
What is the most recent update on Bradford City’s managerial search?
Following Hughes’ departure, midfielder Kevin McDonald was appointed interim manager, and while the 34-year-old won three and drew one of his first four games in command, his side were defeated 4-1 against MK Dons on Tuesday night.
The Scotsman has been discreet about whether he wants the permanent position, although he has stated that he would like to move into management one day.
Bradford City are apparently interested in Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell, while former Oxford United manager and Leeds United assistant Karl Robinson is claimed to have turned down the opportunity to talk with the Bantams.
Danny Cowley, the former Portsmouth manager, has indicated interest in the role, while iNews reported on Wednesday that Dean Holden, who has been out of work since being fired by Charlton Athletic in August, is one name under consideration.
It remains to be seen whether the loss to MK Dons would hasten the club’s management hunt, with the Bantams currently 15th in the table, five points outside the play-off places.
Is Dean Holden a good choice for Bradford City?
Holden would be an intriguing appointment for Bradford, and if he is hired at the University of Bradford Stadium, it may be make or break for his EFL management career.
According to iNews, Holden “can point to some excellent references” from former club Charlton as he attempts to persuade the Bantams’ hierarchy that he is the perfect man for the position, with the 43-year-old’s man management skills claimed to have been essential in moving the Addicks away from the League One relegation zone.
Holden replaced Ben Garner at The Valley in December and successfully led Charlton to safety, ending 10th in the standings.
The Addicks made a slew of good summer additions, including Harry Isted, Lloyd Jones, Panutche Camara, and Alfie May, and were among the third-tier promotion favorites, but Holden was fired in August after his team lost four of their first five league games.
A similar pattern was observed during Holden’s stint at Bristol City, where he struggled to offer consistency following an auspicious start to his career.
Holden took over as interim manager of the Robins following the departure of Lee Johnson in July 2020 before being appointed permanent manager.
After winning their first four games of the 2020-21 season, City were atop the Championship table, but their form dipped drastically, and Holden was fired in February 2021 after a run of five consecutive defeats dropped the team to 14th position.
Holden is an unquestionably outstanding coach, but the jury is yet out on him as a manager, and he would be a dangerous choice for Bradford.
Holden would face a difficult assignment with the team presently in their sixth year of League Two, but if he makes the move to West Yorkshire, he must succeed after two disastrous management stints.
If he can’t, you believe it will be difficult for him to get another management position in the EFL.
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