Bradford build again after Hughes crumbles under weight of expectation

Fans expect more than another season in League Two but latest managerial failure highlights the size of the task for anyone trying to awaken sleeping Bantams

This week marked the 30th anniversary of England’s failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup under the late Graham Taylor, which was captured for the infamous fly-on-the-wall documentary An Impossible Job. The film was designed to show the extraordinary pressure an England manager faces, and there are plenty of clubs in the modern age who would argue their managerial position is saddled with similar weight of expectation, including the League Two side Bradford City.

The Bantams are again drawing average home crowds of more than 17,000 this season but what really counts to the city and fans is on-field matters. Relegated four times this century and promoted only once, they are without a manager again and in mid-table after the dismissal of Mark Hughes last week. There have been highlights in recent years, including two memorable cup runs under the stewardship of Phil Parkinson, but this club, its city and its healthy support crave football in a higher division.

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