McCall quits role as Bradford manager

Stuart McCall has resigned his position as Bradford City manager following a meeting with joint chairman Julian Rhodes.

Former Rangers midfielder and Scotland international McCall, installed as Bradford manager in May 2007, announced his intention to stand down after a 1-0 home defeat by Bury on Saturday left the Bantams in the bottom half of League Two. They had been expected to challenge for promotion this season,

It had been reported McCall, who threatened to quit last summer after City failed to secure a play-off spot, would have left the club the previous weekend had his side not won three points at Torquay with two late goals.

McCall, who had 18 months left to run on his contract, enjoyed two successful spells at the club as a player spanning 12 years before taking over as manager after the Bantams had been relegated from League 1.

The 45-year-old captained the Bantams to promotion to the Premier League in 1999. A club statement said: “Stuart will always have a special place in the hearts of our fans for the dedication and passion he has consistently shown to Bradford.”