Bradford City appoint Duff as new boss

Bradford City have appointed former Wycombe Wanderers boss Michael Duff as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The 48-year-old replaces Graham Alexander at Valley Parade after he left to take over at Championship side Preston North End.

Duff, who has also had spells at Cheltenham Town, Barnsley, Swansea City and Huddersfield Town, was sacked by the Chairboys after a year in charge last month.

The Bantams are second in League One, level on 16 points with leaders Plymouth Argyle who have played a game more.

They travel to League Two Rotherham in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday (19:00 BST) in a tie Duff will have to watch from the stands because of a one-match touchline ban from his time in charge of Wycombe.

His first game in the dugout will be Saturday's home encounter against Leyton Orient in the league (15:00 BST).

"It is exciting to be here. The move has happened quite quickly and with where the club is sitting now and taking over from someone who I know and respect a lot, this is a great opportunity," Duff told the club website., external

"The style of play has already been built here. Continuity is incredibly important, and I do not want to change too much without being a copycat.

"It has been a whirlwind week, but when you see the environment you are going to be working in, it gets the juices flowing.

"You cannot pass opportunities like this up; the chance to join a club as big as Bradford City does not happen very often.

"It did not take much persuading; after the initial conversations, there was a synergy and alignment so it moved quickly from there."

More to follow.