Bradford City should urgently consider these 5 managers as Graham Alexander nears departure for Preston.

Bradford City may be facing an unwanted managerial change after Preston North End formally approached the League One club for permission to speak with Graham Alexander about their vacant head coach position.

Preston are searching for a replacement for Paul Heckingbottom, and Alexander has understandably emerged as an attractive candidate. According to John Percy, the Lilywhites have made an official approach, with Bradford reluctantly allowing their manager to discuss the opportunity with his former club.

Alexander has built an excellent reputation during his time at Valley Parade. The 54-year-old guided Bradford back into League One and then delivered an impressive fourth-place finish during their first campaign back in the division. His work has continued this season, with the Bantams sitting at the top of League One after seven matches.

With Bradford showing ambitions of reaching the Championship, losing Alexander would be a significant blow. However, his long-standing relationship with Preston could make the situation difficult.

Alexander spent two spells as a player at Deepdale, making 421 appearances for the club and ranking among their ten highest appearance makers. He also ended his playing career there, meaning Preston clearly has a special place in his footballing history.

Although Bradford have not confirmed that Alexander will depart, the formal approach means they must prepare for the possibility. If their manager does make the move north, the Bantams will need to act quickly to preserve their momentum.

Here are five managers Bradford could consider.

Dave Challinor

Dave Challinor could be one of the most natural candidates to replace Alexander.

The 50-year-old has been without a club since leaving Stockport County following their League One play-off final defeat in May. During four-and-a-half years at Edgeley Park, Challinor played a major role in transforming Stockport from a National League side into a club competing near the Championship.

His achievements with Stockport demonstrated his ability to build successful teams and adapt to the demands of League One. His tactical approach has often featured a back three, which could make him particularly attractive to Bradford if the club wants continuity rather than a complete tactical overhaul.

Challinor also has an impressive record when it comes to reaching the play-offs. Across his managerial career, he has consistently guided teams into promotion contention, making him an appealing option for a Bradford side that would want to remain among the leading teams in League One.

If Alexander leaves while Bradford are challenging for promotion, Challinor could provide the experience required to maintain that challenge.

Matt Bloomfield

Matt Bloomfield is another manager Bradford could look at, particularly because he is eager to return to management.

Bloomfield left Wycombe Wanderers during the 2024/25 season to take charge of Luton Town, attempting to help the club avoid relegation from the Championship. Unfortunately, circumstances around the club made the task extremely difficult, and Luton eventually went down.

He later took charge of Oxford United but experienced another difficult spell. Oxford eventually suffered relegation, while Bloomfield was dismissed before the club’s return to League One.

Despite those setbacks, his record at Wycombe showed that he can be highly effective in the third tier when given the right conditions.

Bloomfield’s League One record stands at 97 games, with 41 victories, 25 draws and 31 defeats, giving him an average of 1.53 points per game.

Bradford currently appear to offer the kind of stable and ambitious environment where Bloomfield could rebuild his reputation. The Bantams have promotion aspirations and a squad capable of competing near the top of the division, potentially giving him an opportunity to demonstrate his strengths again.

Paul Heckingbottom

An intriguing possibility would be Bradford turning to the very manager who has created the vacancy at Preston.

If Alexander eventually replaces Heckingbottom at Deepdale, Bradford could potentially consider bringing Heckingbottom to Valley Parade.

His recent spell at Preston ended without delivering the progress expected, but his wider managerial record should not be ignored. Heckingbottom has previously demonstrated that he can be successful at both League One and Championship level.

His first managerial role came at Barnsley, where he achieved promotion and also guided the club to success in the EFL Trophy. He subsequently managed Sheffield United and helped them reach the Premier League.

Heckingbottom’s reputation has understandably taken a hit following his departure from Preston, but a return to League One could give him an opportunity to rebuild.

Bradford would also offer him a familiar regional setting and a team with promotion ambitions. The challenge would be determining whether his methods would fit a squad that has developed considerably under Alexander.

Alan Sheehan

Alan Sheehan could also be considered, particularly because he already has connections with Bradford.

The former Swansea City manager spent part of his playing career with the Bantams, giving him some familiarity with the club and its surroundings.

Sheehan’s strongest managerial period came when he took temporary charge at Swansea. During that spell, he impressed with the organisation and defensive structure of his team.

That aspect could be especially relevant at Bradford, where Alexander has developed a side that is comfortable operating without dominating possession and has generally been effective defensively.

However, Sheehan’s subsequent experience at Swansea was much less successful. His time in charge eventually ended after a difficult start to the campaign, and he has been out of work since leaving the Welsh club last November.

A return to League One could nevertheless provide Sheehan with the opportunity to rebuild his managerial career. Bradford’s current position would give him a strong platform, particularly if the club continues to push towards the Championship.

Gary Rowett

Gary Rowett completes the list and would represent a different type of appointment.

Rowett has developed a reputation as a manager capable of improving teams and raising standards, particularly at Championship level. His work with clubs such as Millwall and Oxford demonstrated his ability to organise squads and make them competitive, even when they may not possess the strongest collection of players in the division.

The major question is how his approach would translate to League One.

Rowett has never managed in the third tier. Instead, he moved directly from Burton Albion in League Two to the Championship after making an impression with his first managerial appointment.

That lack of League One experience could make his appointment a gamble, but Bradford’s current style could potentially suit him.

The Bantams have often been comfortable defending without the ball, remaining patient and attempting to make the most of their opportunities when they arise. Rowett could potentially build on those characteristics rather than immediately attempting to transform the team’s identity.

Bradford Face A Difficult Decision

Bradford City will hope Alexander decides to remain at Valley Parade, particularly given the momentum he has created.

The Bantams have ambitions of reaching the Championship, and their strong start to the season means any managerial disruption would arrive at an important moment.

However, if Preston successfully convince Alexander to return to his former club, Bradford will need to identify a replacement capable of maintaining their promotion challenge.

Challinor, Bloomfield, Heckingbottom, Sheehan and Rowett would all bring different experiences and managerial philosophies. The eventual decision could have a major influence on whether Bradford can sustain their current progress and continue their push towards the Championship.