At just 32 years old, Michael Collins is now the youngest boss in the football league by a margin of four years.

Whoever took on the mantle of Bradford City head coach would have faced an uphill struggle after a torrid end to the 2017-18 season.

But Collins's age will lead some to wonder how well he can stamp his authority on the Bantams' underachieving squad.

Not least when he's younger than three of the current first team squad, including club captain Romain Vincelot.

Here we take a look back at some other managers who were given a chance in their early 30s and silenced their doubters - if Collins can follow in these footsteps, Edin Rahic's decision to appoint an untried gaffer will be seen as a masterstroke.

Eddie Howe - Bournemouth (2008-2011 & 2012)

Howe began his managerial career at 32 after a playing career as a central defender which saw him capped by England at Under-21 level. Howe was appointed by Bournemouth on a permanent basis after impressing as caretaker manager in 2009 with the Cherries 17 points from safety in League Two. By the end of the season the club's Football League status had been secured and two years later he led them to promotion to League One. After leaving for an ill-fated spell at Burnley, Howe returned to the south-coast club in 2012 and within three years had taken them to the Premier League, where they have remained ever since.

Alex Neil - Norwich (2015-2017)

Bournemouth may have been the high-fliers during the 2015 Championship season but Norwich claimed a 2-1 win against the Cherries on Neil's managerial debut for the Canaries. At 33, Neil, who had already managed Hamilton in Scotland, managed to guide Norwich into a play-off position as they beat bitter rivals Ipswich followed by Middlesbrough in the final to secure Premier League football for Norwich. However, City survived just one season in the top flight, suffering relegation in 2016.

Garry Monk - Swansea (2014-2015)

Taking over the reins at just 34, Garry Monk helped Swansea to a number of highs in his first season - a 3-0 victory against bitter rivals Cardiff in his first match, the round of 32 in the Europa League and Premier League safety with one game to spare. Monk's second season saw him guide the Swans to an eighth-place finish in the top flight, taking the scalps of Manchester United and Arsenal both home and away. Monk was sacked in 2015 with Swansea 15th in the table.

Gary Caldwell - Wigan (2015-2016)

Caldwell was just 32 when he replaced Malky Mackay in the Wigan hot-seat but he led them to the League One title before being sacked 18 months into the job. Caldwell was 34 when appointed Chesterfield manager in January 2017. However, he was unable to save the Spireites from relegation to League Two, and after a poor start to life in the fourth tier, the axe swung. He lasted just eight months.

Darren Ferguson - Peterborough (2007-2009)

Darren Ferguson, son of great Manchester United manager Sir Alex, was named player-manager of Peterborough in 2007 at 34. He led the club to promotion to League One in his first full season and made it back-to-back promotions with another second-place finish. Ferguson was appointed by Preston in 2010 but did not find the magic touch. He was sacked with the club bottom of the Championship in December of the same year. He enjoyed further success on his return to Peterborough, winning a play-off final against Huddersfield, and enjoyed a promotion back to League One with Doncaster having suffered relegation the previous season.

Lee Johnson (Oldham 2013-1015)

Johnson was just 31 when Oldham gambled on his appointment in 2013. This made him the youngest manager in the Football League and saw him come up against his dad, Gary, who was Yeovil boss at the time. Johnson's first game in charge was a 3-0 win over Hartlepool as he inspired the relegation-threatened Latics to safety. He is currently managing Bristol City in the Championship, having left Oldham for Barnsley in 2015.