Stuart McCall today revealed his pain over the “sad” way Wayne Jacobs is leaving Valley Parade.

Jacobs has been put on gardening leave but, with his contract up at the end of the season, it is unlikely he will be involved again.

McCall, who brought back his close pal to City in 2007 as number two, feels it is a harsh exit for a loyal stalwart.

McCall said: “Nobody has a God-given right to stay at the club but I find it very sad news.

“Wayne thoroughly understands how football is and he’ll lick his wounds. I’m sure he will be back but it’s not a nice way to bow out after all the time and energy he gave.

“People don’t realise the amount he has put in behind the scenes for that club. He’d get all sorts of help for nothing.

“We’d have nutritionists and fitness guys coming in or organising biometric sessions in the university. He would beg, steal and borrow anything.

“I’d ask him where we’d find the money from but he’d sort it all out for just a couple of match tickets.

“Over the years there has been a lot of people at City who have done remarkable things in the club and are now no longer there.

“When you’ve got limited resources, you’ve had people doing two or three jobs at a time because they’ve got the club running through their veins.”

Jacobs is understood to be hurt by the decision, which was taken over the weekend following Peter Taylor’s departure. Junior Lewis is also in the same situation.

McCall, now Motherwell boss, added: “I spoke to a couple of players and I know they are disappointed because they had a good relationship with Wayne.

“But he wasn’t a soft touch with anyone. We’d have some heated discussions at times – he wasn’t just a yes man. But everything he did was for the good of the football club. He did everything in his power to help them.”

McCall welcomed Peter Jackson’s temporary appointment but admitted he did not envy the two chairmen pondering the identity of the next boss.

“I feel for Julian (Rhodes) because it’s horrible that things still haven’t worked out,” he said.

“I would imagine that Colin Todd was seen as a decent appointment at that time with his experience. People were happy with me coming in and then Peter Taylor got the job with his CV.”

McCall heard the news about Jackson after steering Motherwell to a shock win over Celtic and immediately sent him a text.

“I saw Jacko’s enthusiasm on the TV and I’m really pleased he’s back in football. I know how much it means to him coming to Bradford.

“The negative reaction when he came here because of the Huddersfield connection used to disappoint him but my memories of Jacko are as a great player for us and a great captain.

“My most poignant memory was that Boxing Day game with Lincoln and sharing a cup of tea with him afterwards. He was obviously disappointed to lose the game but felt that in reflection it was the right result for the occasion.

“Even though it’s only short term, I know he’ll give everything. He’s got a tough one against Gillingham coming up but the team have won the unexpected ones over the last few seasons like Rochdale and Bury away and should have beaten Chesterfield the other week.”