THE timing seemed sudden and savage.

Nobody, outside of Phil Parkinson’s immediate circle, could have predicted the exact moment his Valley Parade “marriage” would end.

But when the dust settles and the news finally sinks in – and that will be a good while yet judging by the general outcry among City fans – it will look like a clean break.

A Bradford City without Parkinson is difficult to envisage; the club have achieved so much since he arrived at the helm just under five years ago.

An appearance in a cup final; a win at Chelsea among a host of Premier League scalps – those are moments we may not see again in a lifetime of watching football.

But the game never stands still. Managers, barring the immovable Arsene Wenger, come and go.

Parkinson’s deep attachment with the club that has enhanced his reputation will not cloud his judgement.

Until we hear from the man himself, we can only guess at his reasoning for leaving a job which, not that long ago, the two chairmen were saying was his pretty much “for life”.

But the fact that his long-time bosses Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn chose this summer to exit stage left changed the whole environment.

Now we have new hands at the tiller, Edin Rahic and Stefan Rupp, with their own vision of where they want to take City in the future.

By all accounts Rahic and Parkinson got on fine in their initial conversations. But maybe there was always a feeling with the manager that this would be an appropriate time to end such a satisfying chapter in his career.

Maybe he had got wind of suggestions that the budget for next season did not match the expectations of a new regime coming in.

Maybe he was not comfortable with the prospect of young German talent being introduced into his plans and the constant rumours about Uwe Rosler. Until the facts are known, it is all purely conjecture.

But by going out on his terms – he has certainly not been nudged out the exit door – Parkinson leaves with his stock high. His legacy, once the pain over the manner of the split subsides, will be untouched.

Managers do not often last when a new broom sweeps in the place. Rahic and Rupp will now have full control – and responsibility – for their actions by making a first managerial appointment before a ball has been kicked in anger.

When asked about Parkinson’s future in our face-to-face interview a couple of weeks ago, Rahic stressed that there was no need to consider making a change.

He did not see why he had to justify the manager’s position.

He could not understand why supporters were so anxious to see him publicly back Parkinson as his man going forward.

Maybe that absence of an assurance, one way or the other, hinted to Parkinson that it might be time to quit while the personal going is good.

He leaves of his own accord as the third longest-serving manager in the club's history; head held high after a record of constant improvement with each season.

The initial goal of simply keeping the Bantams in the Football League seems a lifetime ago. Bradford City are now known worldwide for their giant-killing up exploits – and respected closer to home as a tough nut to crack.

Parkinson built a team in his image; professional, tireless workers putting effort above ego to get the rewards. It wasn’t always pretty but it was generally pretty effective.

So what about the team he will be taking over?

Bolton came within a whisker of going into administration at the start of the year but were saved by a consortium of their former striker Dean Holdsworth and agent Ken Anderson.

They passed the Football League’s fit and proper person’s test but major question marks remain over the funding that is available.

Parkinson will inherit one of the most expensive squads in the division with a wage bill thought to be between £6m and £7m – much bigger than at Valley Parade.

But there won’t be much room for manoeuvre unless he can off-load some of the highest earners such as captain Darren Pratley. Their best player from last season, Rob Holding, is expected to join Arsenal.

Parkinson would often get frustrated at watching City’s rivals splash out transfer fees while feeling that he always had to generate his own extra funds.

But what will happen at Bolton, given their precarious recent financial record, is anyone’s guess.

One thing is for certain. He is unlikely to receive the same unconditional level of backing that he enjoyed from Lawn and Rhodes.

Even during the lean spells when results were hard to come by – that run of one win in 21 in the first season back in the third tier springs to mind – his position was never seriously under threat.

There were the obvious grumbles, and similarly before the start of the FA Cup run in 2014-2015, but nothing to indicate his performance was being questioned.

The overwhelming majority of fans, too, were always on his side. They appreciated how he created magical memories at a club that had forgotten to smile.

For now, it hurts massively. The reaction on social media when the news surfaced yesterday was akin to losing a favourite uncle.

Parkinson and Bradford City, in whatever guise, now prepare to lead separate lives.

And with his Valley Parade achievements undimmed, maybe the door will always remain open for a reunion at some later stage.