Bryan Robson admits he is "shocked" at the lack of contact from City.

The Bantams hope to be in a position to appoint a manager within the next week.

Colin Todd, Robson's No 2, is considered a front-runner while David Wetherall and Wayne Jacobs are believed to be possible candidates.

Robson also remains in the frame, according to his agent Phil Black. But he claimed the City boss, whose contract ran out on May 9, has been kept in the dark about what is going on.

Black told the Telegraph & Argus: "Bryan has never really been spoken to by the club.

"He would love the job without a doubt and is desperate to get a phone call from Julian Rhodes to say that everything is okay. He wants to stay at Bradford City if at all possible and wants to get them back into the First Division. That would be a great achievement.

"But Bryan is shocked because of the lack of feedback. He is very frustrated that so far nobody from the club has told him anything."

Robson last week passed the top coaching qualifications - the UEFA A licence - along with Charlton boss Alan Curbishley. He is currently in Portugal to watch Euro 2004 but is eager to be kept informed with news from Valley Parade.

Before his short-term deal ran out, Robson said there was a "good chance" he would stay but only if City were out of administration.

That will certainly not be the case for next season and most fans expect the former England skipper to look elsewhere.

Black confirmed there had been interest shown by other clubs and added: "Finance doesn't make any difference to him, it's the other side of it.

"When he took the job there was never a suggestion that Bradford would go back into administration. Things suddenly changed.

"But the club know how hard-working Bryan has been and I don't think anyone could do any more. He put in so much effort to try and get loans in and was constantly in touch with Sir Alex (Ferguson).

"I know the players would love him to stay if at all possible. And whoever comes into the job would be working under exactly the same circumstances.

"I know that Bryan has put some people in touch with the club to try and help and negotiations have been taking place. You don't do that if you're not interested."

l Bryan Robson's former club Middlesbrough will visit Valley Parade on July 27 as part of City's pre-season programme. They will also host Premiership Bolton three days earlier.