Bantams boss happy to be working alongside David Sharpe

Alexander met the club’s new head of football operations properly for the first time yesterday as they start to map out the next steps.

The Bantams chief has worked alongside similar positions before and is comfortable with the dynamic.

“I think it’s down to communication,” he said. “If you’re grown up about it and understand we’re all here to reach the same goals.

“I’ve worked with sporting directors and directors of football. I had two at one club and still managed to create a successful football team.

“For me, all these roles in football come down to human interaction.

“It’s not about the actual job title but how people get on together.

“An assistant manager is seen as a ‘must have’. But it won’t work if you don’t get on with him or he’s not good at his job.

“It’s about people working together with a common cause, understanding each other’s responsibilities and supporting them with that. I think that’s how a team works.”

Sharpe brings plenty of lower-league knowhow after three years with Mansfield following his time at Wigan. Alexander believes he will be a strong addition behind the scenes.

“I talk a lot about the team behind the football team, me and my staff, the medical staff, the conditioning, coaching. It’s all about people have empathy for everyone’s roles and heading in the same direction.

“It’s not about how it works in a structural level but how grown-ups get on and use their expertise.

“When you talk about recruitment, it’s never down to one person. Whether it’s the head of recruitment, the manager or the CEO, it’s always a group of people and I feel that’s the best way to work.

“David’s experience and knowledge will certainly help us in that respect.

“We’ve gone through different stages in the five months since I came here so I’ve learned a lot about the club and the group of players. I’m sure David will see it with a fresh pair of eyes.

“Even if it’s a couple of things that he sees differently from us, it gives us an idea to think differently about an issue we have or a problem.

“That’s how we improve and that’s all we’re trying to do.”

Sharpe will be at City’s penultimate home game of the season against Gillingham tomorrow with Alexander adamant there can be no slacking off.

They are effectively playing out the final three weeks with little to play for in terms of league position. But Alexander stressed the motivation levels must remain high.

Jon Tomkinson in action in City's win at Gillingham in December (Image: Thomas Gadd)

“From pre-season right the way through to bounce games, the will to win should never change. That determination should always be there.

“As soon as you’re pulling on that shirt, you’re representing the football club, yourself and everybody else connected to you.

“I don’t differentiate between competitions or stages of the season.

“We’ve had a really difficult spell and have started to climb out of it with four points in the last two games.

“We want to put on a performance for the supporters and try to win. That mantra will never change from my side.”