Bradford City appoint Michael Duff on three-and-a-half-year deal

Bradford City have appointed Michael Duff as manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract, BBC Sport reported on Tuesday. The 48-year-old succeeds Graham Alexander, who has left Valley Parade to take charge of Championship club Preston North End. Duff returns to management after being dismissed by Wycombe Wanderers last month following a year in charge.

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He inherits a Bradford team sitting second in League One with 16 points. Leaders Plymouth Argyle have the same total but have played one match more, according to the BBC. The change of manager therefore comes with Bradford near the top of the division, following the progress made under Alexander from League Two into the upper reaches of League One.

In its reporting on the appointment, the BBC said Bradford regarded Duff as capable of maintaining the energetic approach associated with Alexander's 3-4-3 formation. The two managers also share a playing connection: Duff, a former Northern Ireland international, was Alexander's team-mate at Burnley. He arrives with managerial experience across both League One and the Championship.

Duff began his managerial career at Cheltenham Town, leading the club to promotion from League Two. In the 2021-22 season, Cheltenham finished 15th in League One, their highest-ever placing in the English Football League. He then moved to Barnsley, where his side finished fourth in the third tier and reached the play-off final.

Barnsley lost that final to Sheffield Wednesday, and Duff subsequently took over at Swansea City. His time with the Championship side ended after six months when he was sacked in December 2023. He returned to Yorkshire with Huddersfield Town in May 2024, but that appointment ended the following March after four defeats in five matches.

Wycombe appointed Duff in September 2025 after starting the season without a win. He guided them to an 11th-place finish, but three draws and two defeats in their opening five league fixtures of 2026-27 preceded his dismissal last month.

Bradford's immediate schedule includes Tuesday's EFL Trophy visit to League Two side Rotherham United, followed by a home League One match against Leyton Orient on Saturday. Duff's appointment gives the club a permanent successor to Alexander ahead of those fixtures.