SIMON Grayson is confident he can build the right relationship with City chairman Edin Rahic.

Grayson’s contract at Valley Parade runs until the end of the season – at his request.

Rahic and fellow owner Stefan Rupp wanted to pin down their new manager for the longer term.

But Grayson, who has four League One promotions under his belt, insisted on a deal until the summer when his position can be reviewed.

He said: “When I spoke to Edin, he’s been very positive in everything they’ve wanted to do.

“They were desperate to give me a longer-term contract. But I just felt where I am in terms of my management career at this moment in time, I need to take the right option for me.

“Maybe it is ‘suck it and see’ how things go. But I cannot speak highly enough of how the owners have been.

“I’ve worked with Ken Bates, I’ve worked with Karl Oyston, I’ve worked with Peter Ridsdale. I’ve worked with enough owners and the one thing you have to do is have a relationship and trust with each other.

“That’s what we’re going to do. Who knows where it will go but I’m certainly planning on being here longer.

“Things might change – I might get offered the Real Madrid job – but contracts don’t mean that much anyway. I signed a three-year one at Sunderland and got sacked after four months.”

Grayson is hoping it will lead to a longer arrangement and will be sitting down with Rahic in “the next week to ten days” to discuss recruitment and plan pre-season.

He has had other offers to get back in management since leaving the Stadium of Light at the end of October and is believed to have turned down openings at MK Dons and Oxford.

But Grayson is not concerned about working under a hands-on chairman and believes the present deal is a “no brainer”.

He added: “Every owner is entitled to an opinion because they put the money in.

“If they respect what you’re saying back to them, then fine. You have to have a working relationship together.

“Ken Bates, Karl Oyston, Dean Hoyle have all had opinions on stuff and I respect what they have to say. Hopefully they respect what I say back.

“I’ve found Edin very good so far. Everything I’ve wanted to do with the staff I’ve wanted to bring in, he’s been very open.

“He’s never questioned anything. It’s about having equal respect for each other.

“People make a lot about the contract situation but it’s not an issue for both parties.

“If I turn out to have a bad time, Bradford might not want to offer me a contract.

“Or if I do really well, I’m in a strong position and the club will want to keep me.

“Bradford were very, very keen in pushing me to have a longer deal.

“This, though, was on my terms. I wanted to come to the end of the season, assess how things can work and work out where we want to be.

“I plan to be here for the long term but the contract is just until the end of the season. I have no problem with that and neither does the club.”