VIDEO: Legend McCall quits as Bradford City boss

7:00am Monday 8th February 2010

Exclusive By Simon Parker

Bradford City legend Stuart McCall has confirmed exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus that he will step down as manager today.

The Bantams boss will officially walk away after meeting joint-chairman Julian Rhodes to finalise a compensation package with 17 months still left on his contract.

McCall decided to go after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Bury at Valley Parade, ending a reign that began in May 2007.

City will not rush to replace him. The T&A understands the Bantams plan to bring in a short-term manager who will take charge for the rest of the season.

But they will take their time over a full-time appointment – and could well wait until the summer.

It was McCall's 133rd game in charge on Saturday, making him the 20th longest-serving current boss. He said: “I don’t regret coming back for a second. I’d have regretted it more if I hadn’t taken the job.

“It’s been fantastic in one way but ultra-hard in another because you’re carrying the hopes of everyone. You should see some of the letters I’ve had.

“Without being big-headed, I’m fortunate that I’ve never failed before in my career.

“I’ve always been successful as a player and when I went to Sheffield United as reserve manager we won the league first year. Then everything snowballed and the club got promoted to the Premier-ship when I was assistant to Neil Warnock.

“But the place where I really wanted to do well was here and it hasn’t happened for me.

“The pressure I’ve put on myself because I want to succeed here has been immense at times. I loved being manager of this club but it’s a results-based business and the results have not been good enough.

“I still believed that all things being equal this season we could have got in the play-offs. We’ve needed that bit of Lady Luck with injuries and certain games and just not had it. But it’s not about me, it’s the club that matters. Hopefully now with the squad back fit they can rally round and pick up some wins.”

The board are reluctant to say too much until McCall’s farewell is finalised. Joint-chairman Mark Lawn said: “Obviously I’ve only heard this through the grapevine. Stuart hasn’t spoken to me.

“The club can’t make any comment until we’ve sat down and discussed the situation with him.”