John Hughes today expressed his interest in the “massive” job at City.

The former Hibs boss is a surprise name in the initial list of managerial candidates drawn up by the bookmakers.

But the 46-year-old is desperate to get back in the hot-seat after leaving Easter Road in October. And he admitted the Valley Parade vacancy would be very tempting.

Hughes told the T&A: “It’s all news to me (about the odds) but it’s definitely a job I would be interested in. Bradford are a massive club.

“It’s a great football environment and Bradford are a real club steeped in history.

“I know they’ve fallen on hard times but that’s what happens in football. I’m quite sure you’ve got the players in that squad, if you can keep free of injuries, to get back up the table.”

Hughes played under Jim Jefferies at Falkirk, where he was known as an uncompromising centre half. But the former Celtic defender likes his teams to get the ball down and play.

He cut his managerial teeth with Falkirk, initially in joint partnership with Owen Coyle, guiding them to promotion to the Scottish Premier League as well as a place in the 2009 Scottish Cup final.

He joined Hibernian that summer and led them into the Europa League with a fourth-placed finish in his first season. But they started this term badly and he left by mutual consent just under five months ago.

Hughes added: “It was very disappointing to lose my job and I wish I was back in management today. But it hasn’t put me off – as one door closes, another always opens.

“If you look at my record with Hibs, I took them into Europe for the first time for five years, I made the club £4m in transfers and the strikers scored over 50 goals between them. I like to play an attractive style of football.

“Whoever comes in there at Bradford will have the challenge to get them out of trouble. But it’s a great club, well known, and clubs can always come back.”

Meanwhile, Accrington last night revealed that City have made a tentative inquiry for their longstanding boss John Coleman, who has been linked with Valley Parade before. Accrington would not block him from holding talks but are confident they would be able to convince him to stay.

Former Bantam Jamie Lawrence has also indicated he would love to be considered for the job. He is currently working on a shoestring at Ashford Town (Middlesex), who beat City 3-0 in a pre-season friendly.

Latest odds to become next permanent City manager:

Dean Windass 4/5, John Hughes 5/2, Alan Knill 5/1, Wayne Jacobs and/or David Wetherall 8/1, John Hendrie 10/1, Terry Dolan 10/1, Andy Scott 12/1, Brian Laws 12/1, Gary Johnson 12/1, Phil Parkinson 12/1, Martin Allen 12/1, Lawrie Sanchez 12/1, Keith Hill 12/1, Iain Dowie 12/1, Kevin Blackwell 14/1, John Coleman 14/1, Chris Wilder 14/1, Dean Saunders 16/1, Peter Jackson 16/1, Charlie McParland 16/1, Paul Trollope 16/1, Colin Todd 16/1, Paul Hart 18/1, Lee Sinnott 20/1 , Nicky Law 20/1, George Burley 20/1, Alan Irvine 20/1, Neil Aspin 20/1, Chris Turner 25/1, Paul Simpson 25/1. Odds from Victor Chandler.