PHIL Parkinson will not be coming back to Valley Parade.

The history-making former City boss, who steered the club to the League Cup final and promotion in 2013 and enjoyed five successful years, has been widely touted to replace Stuart McCall.

But the Telegraph & Argus understands that Parkinson, sacked by Sunderland a fortnight ago, would not be tempted by a second attempt at dragging the Bantams back from the League Two doldrums.

There has been plenty of interest in the vacancy since the club invited applications after McCall’s departure was announced yesterday lunchtime.

Academy bosses Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars will take charge for tomorrow’s trip to Crawley.

City have nobody lined up to take over from McCall but know that time is of the essence to get the new manager in place to formulate their plans for next month’s transfer window.

With the club hovering precariously above the relegation zone, it is shaping up to be a critical period to strengthen a squad that has been found badly lacking with only three league wins.

While staying up has become the short-term priority, City are thought to be looking to bring in someone who can oversee the summer, when many of the player contracts are up, and take the club forward into next season.

Potential candidates with League Two pedigree who are currently available include David Flitcroft, John McGreal, Graham Alexander and Paul Hurst.

Flitcroft, who last worked as Keith Hill’s number two at Bolton, won promotion with Bury and also took Mansfield to the play-offs in 2019.

McGreal left Colchester in the summer after four years in charge after being knocked out of last season’s play-offs.

Alexander was controversially sacked by Salford at the start of the season. The former Scottish international had previously managed them into the Football League for the first time as well as winning promotion from League Two with Fleetwood.

Hurst, who steered Grimsby back into the EFL, was keen on the job when Gary Bowyer was appointed. He has also had spells with Shrewsbury, Ipswich and most recently at Scunthorpe.

Former City defender Paul Heckingbottom and ex-Leeds centre half Jonathan Woodgate have also been touted in the early betting.

McCall had signed a new one-year extension to his contract last month – but was shown the door after City’s sixth successive defeat at the weekend against Oldham.

Chief executive Ryan Sparks said it was a tough decision to get rid of McCall and assistant Kenny Black but a necessary one given the shocking run of form.

“We have done everything in our power to support them during their time at the club.

“Unfortunately, we have taken only four points from our last 10 games and find ourselves in a battle at the wrong end of the table.”

Speaking straight after the Oldham defeat, McCall had hoped he would get the next two matches to save his job.

But he admitted: “I’m not stupid enough to think that if results don’t change, I’ll still be here. I could have had a six-year contract but it’s about results – and we’re not getting them."