WHAT a shock that was to see Phil Parkinson go.

I couldn't believe it, especially going to Bolton where there have been a lot of problems, but maybe he is right that it was time for a new challenge.

Phil is definitely going to be a tough act to follow for whoever comes in at Valley Parade.

My old pal Stuart McCall will know that just as much as any other candidate and it's no surprise to me that he has thrown his hat into the ring.

When he left the club before, he did make it clear that he wanted to return one day.

Stuart is desperate to get back into management and I'm sure his wife Tracey is nagging away at him!

What he's been doing in the meantime, a wee bit with Scotland, is very much part-time and she'll be just as keen to get him out from under her feet.

I know for a fact that he has applied for some jobs which raised my eyebrows at the time because I thought he could do much better. He is just that keen to get back in the job.

It was two years ago when he was offered the chance at Sheffield United when his stock was at its highest with Motherwell. But he knocked them back and maybe, looking back, he should have taken that.

His budget at Motherwell was cut every year and soon after he was out of the club. The one sure thing as a manager is that one day you will get the sack.

He had that spell with Rangers but couldn't get them promoted and since then he's been down to the last few for several jobs but just struggled to get over the line.

It didn't work out for him at Valley Parade before but, as he says, he's a better manager now with a lot more experience.

He was thrown in the deep end before and if he did come back for a second time, I don't think the pressure would be as great.

I'm sure supporters would be excited if he return – but they won't have rose-tinted glasses on this time.

Back then, it was almost as if he was the club's saviour who was going to lead Bradford City all the way back up to the Premier League. Everyone was convinced that Stuart could not fail.

There won't be as much fanfare a second time because people would be more philosophical about it.

They will know it may or may not work – but that's no different for any other manager City bring in. Nobody is guaranteed success at any football club, whatever your history.

But I don't think the fans would have been as patient with Phil at the beginning if Stuart hadn't been in the job first. There was a cloud hanging over Valley Parade for every manager.

Stuart being there first and seeing how difficult even he found it has made it easier for Phil in hindsight.

I think there will be more understanding from the public if Stuart gets a second crack at it.

But he's still exactly the same person. Some people change but Stuart is still Stuart, the same down-to-earth boy I've known for 30-odd years.

He's like your next-door neighbour, there's no airs and graces, and that's why he is always accepted by the fans.

Uwe Rosler is obviously the name being strongly touted for the Bradford job because of the German connection and I think he is another good shout.

I remember when I was at Boro and Uwe came in on trial. I think Lennie Lawrence was in charge at the time.

Uwe trained with us and was due to play a reserve game but it got cancelled. So his agent took him to Man City instead and he went on to do very well for them.

About ten years ago, I was playing in a charity five-a-side in Manchester and Uwe was there. He hunted me out, which was nice of him, because he remembered that time with Boro.

He served his managerial apprenticeship in Norway and then went to Brentford, where he did a brilliant job.

It didn't go so well for him at Wigan and the scenario at Leeds is going to be hard for any manager.

You speak to people there and the only criticism they had of Uwe was that at home he only played with one up front.

It would have been fine if he'd played two strikers but there was the little gripe among supporters that he was a bit negative at home. That was his downfall.

But he is a decent enough guy and once again another serious candidate for City to consider.

* John Hendrie was talking to Simon Parker