MARK Bower has backed City's owners to get it right as the wait for a new head coach goes on.

Impatience at the lack of an appointment is growing among supporters. Former bookies favourite Paul Heckingbottom is understood to want time away from management, while speculation linking former Sunderland coach Robbie Stockdale is thought to be wide of the mark.

But former Bantam Bower believes fans should keep faith and said: "It is a very important appointment so I am sure that is why they are taking their time and making sure they are getting it right."

With two new signings already in Joe Riley and Josh Wright, the lack of a head coach has not stalled City's recruitment plans for next season.

And Bower, who led Park Avenue to the National League North play-off semi-finals this year, said: "There is still work being done and players are coming in with Greg (Abbott, head of recruitment) working behind the scenes.

"I am sure they are looking to bring in the best possible players they can within the financial constraints they’ve got.

"At professional level now, that is more and more the case. It is not just the manager going after players, it is a whole committee of people."

The Horsfall boss advocates the long-term philosophy championed by owners Edin Rahic and Stefan Rupp, who have maintained they will not risk the financial health of the club for short-term gain.

He said: "The way the club are going about it – it is not short-term success (they are looking for). I was there 15 to 20 years ago when it was built on sand effectively.

"I think the owners have taken some criticism but what they are doing is trying to build more solid foundations, so if they do get some success it has got more chance of going on for longer."

Some have questioned the level of investment in the playing budget, with former boss Simon Grayson believing more was needed to sustain a serious promotion push from League One.

But Bower, who experienced the club going into administration twice when he was at Valley Parade, warned against the club over-extending themselves financially.

He said: "It’s a tough league and you look at what they are up against. Just expecting people to throw a load of money in so they can compete with the likes of Sunderland is tough.

"They have got to get that balance right – putting a good product on the pitch but making sure they don’t end up in the financial trouble which I experienced there on more than one occasion 15 to 20 years ago.

"They need to get the balance right and get the foundations in place."

City's 11th-placed finish last season was the first time they had gone backwards in terms of final league position since 2010/11.

But Bower, who has been linked with the City job but whose business commitments rule him out as a likely contender, sees it as a chance to build again.

He said: "Last season was a disappointment but when you look back at the last seven or eight years, they have had a great run and had some great days and some really good seasons.

"Sometimes you need those seasons when you have to take a step back maybe and then look forward again.

"I’m sure the owners are working with the club’s best interests at heart and hopefully in the longer term it turns out to be a good move."