MARK Lawn has assured fans that City will be well placed to push for promotion next season after Gianni Paladini's takeover collapsed.

The Bantams confirmed the deal with Paladini was off after no agreement could be reached before the exclusivity deadline.

The Telegraph & Argus understands that one of the Italian's major backers pulled out this week and the proposed change of ownership fell through.

A club statement said: "As of Friday, May 29, the exclusivity period agreement with Mr Gianni Paladini has ended without a deal being completed.

"The joint-chairmen Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn will continue to run the club as they have being doing, planning to take Bradford City forward into the new season at an exciting time for the club and its supporters."

Negotiations with the former QPR chairman began in February but Lawn and Rhodes will now remain at the helm for the foreseeable future.

The joint-chairmen and Professor David Rhodes each hold a 33.3 per cent equal stake in City's ownership and Lawn insisted it was business as usual at Valley Parade.

Boss Phil Parkinson, the subject of an official approach from managerless Sheffield United which was knocked back this week, is understood to have considered his options in the light of a potential Paladini takeover.

Now that Lawn and Rhodes have retained control, the likelihood of Parkinson staying has increased significantly.

Lawn told the T&A: "If people are panicking, they shouldn't be because we've still been preparing for next season as if Julian and I were going to be in charge.

"Phil knows that, he knows his targets and he knows his budget.

"We have agreed on players for him to look at, so I believe we're going to have a stronger squad than last year with the players we're bringing in.

"We finished seventh last year, so I think the play-offs are certainly achievable next season.

"We've had steady growth in recent seasons and more steady growth next year will mean the play-offs. I think it's fair to say we have got a great chance of making the top six.

"The club is in good hands with strong leadership and stewardship and we have dropped season-ticket prices to fill the stadium.

"We've already got a good side and we're going to add to it, so let's pack Valley Parade and get it rocking and rolling for next season."

With no other would-be buyers on the immediate horizon, Lawn added: "With Julian and I in control, the club can still compete at League One level and probably up to mid-table in the Championship.

"If we were lucky, we could get into the play-offs at Championship level. But anything beyond that requires a different level of finance."