Vincelot speaks out on being "driven out" of Bradford City

He cannot even speak the former chairman’s name as he talks about the “one man” who drove him out of Valley Parade.

“When I think of Bradford, there is a little tear inside me,” said the Frenchman, who returns to City this weekend with Stevenage.

“I left the club because of one man basically. I almost had a fight with the guy.

“I knew that if I had stayed, he would have done anything he could to stop me from playing.”

The trail of destruction left by the German has been well documented since he was finally forced out in December 2018.

But Vincelot, who quit the club the previous summer, underlines the anger that still bubbles among those who saw a team that had come so close to reaching the Championship suddenly blown apart.

Romain Vincelot and his City team-mates out with Stuart McCall after his sacking

While delighted to see Stuart McCall back at the helm – “he should have never left” – the 34-year-old will never forgive the man he sees as solely responsible for destroying the City manager’s previous spell.

“I can’t believe what he did because we had such a good group and good manager. We were still in the play-off places even when he sacked Stuart.

“It was a bit tough in that period because we’d had a few losses but we were so together on the pitch.

“But he took all that away and ruined everything. It was completely about his ego, nothing to do with football.”

Vincelot was captain throughout McCall’s 18-month second tenure. But he felt there was no choice except to get out once Rahic had got his way and the manager had gone.

“For me, I have to feel good where I work because we are away from France and everyone there, even more so when you are in Bradford even further away.

“He just ruined it and I can’t stand him for that. He was trying to sabotage the next season and I couldn’t accept that.

Romain Vincelot challenges Millwall's Steve Morison in the 2017 play-off final

“I knew I had to move on, even though I still had one year on a good contract.

“I just wanted to be happy, we were expecting our first baby – I just wanted to go south, forget about him, and that was it.

“Unfortunately, I was right to go because you saw what he did to the club. Bradford got relegated because he wanted to run the show.

“It’s hard to watch because one person can put a whole football club in danger.”

His first game back at Valley Parade will not feel the same while the stands remain empty. But Vincelot is pleased to see City starting to look more like their old self again.

“I’m glad for the club that it’s back on track and that Stuart is back as manager. That’s where he still should have been.

“What happened just shows how fragile things are in football. It’s frightening.

“But it’s in the past and the club now looks to be in a better shape.”

The same can certainly be said for Vincelot after ground-breaking surgery to repair a damaged hip.

City had "such a good group and good manager" says Vincelot

The problem, which he first felt as a “niggle” during his time with City, had escalated to such an extent that he was waking up every night in huge pain.

“I would sleep for a couple of hours max and then have to sit up or stand up, anything just to change the position and get rid of the pain.

“I couldn’t play with my little one. I couldn’t enjoy anything.

“I was scared that if I did have this operation it would be the end of my career. But it was the only option.”

The hip-resurfacing surgery is a relatively new one designed for sportsmen. Andy Murray had the same operation as well as Ireland rugby player Sean O’Brien.

Vincelot is thought to be the first professional footballer.

He added: “It’s a mini hip replacement for sports and active people to enable them to carry on. It’s not as big as one you would have when you’re 60 or 70.

“It took me years of years struggling with my hip but I just carried on with it until it was nearly worn out.

I was scared that if I did have this operation it would be the end of my career. But it was the only option.

“It was a discomfort that became a niggle that became a pain and then it was constant.

“It is traumatic surgery and there’s a big scar because they had to dislocate my leg to take it out the socket and put in the new part.”

He had to start from scratch on the road to recovery, although his desire to get back meant literally running before he could walk.

“I was in such a hurry to come back that I skipped the phase where you learn to walk properly. I’m probably better at running than walking!

“But now the hip is sorted and it is so much better everywhere else. The body is moving the way it should be.

“Every morning, I wake up feeling a bit better than the day before. It’s wonderful for me because I’m still improving in my everyday life and my football as well.

“It took five or six years off my life. I feel like I am 30 again.”

Romain Vincelot celebrates a City goal - but his hip was becoming more of an issue

Vincelot was “nicely” surprised with the number of offers from League Two clubs in the summer. But he plumped for Stevenage, a side who had survived the drop on a technicality after Macclesfield’s demise.

“I’ve played against the manager Alex Revell and when we spoke I heard good things.

“I felt the club was turning a page and wanted to start a new chapter – just like me.

“I’m very ambitious about the next few years.

“It’s not just about playing and getting a contract somewhere. I’m enjoying it because I feel I can be a winner again.

“I love competition and take pleasure in winning games. I’m in a position now where I can be ambitious again.

“I’m researching everything to maximise my career, the best strength and conditioning plan and the best nutrition.

“When you’ve got that hunger and confidence in your body, then it’s game on.”