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David Hopkin: Bradford City appoint ex-Livingston boss as new head coach

Last updated on .From the section Bradfordcomments74

David Hopkin led Livingston to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Scottish Premiership
David Hopkin led Livingston to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Scottish Premiership

David Hopkin has become Bradford City's fourth new head coach of 2018 after signing a two-year deal.

He succeeds Michael Collins, who was sacked on Monday after six games in charge with City 17th in League One.

Hopkin recently managed Scottish Premiership side Livingston, helping them to two promotions before rejecting a contract extension in May.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Bantams and cannot wait to get started," said the 48-year-old.external-link

"This is a huge opportunity for me. We have a talented squad and I am looking forward to working with the players and staff."

Former Scotland international Hopkin had a short spell as a player with the Bantams during the 2000-01 season and remains their record signing, having joined the club from Leeds for £2.5m.

After beginning his career with Greenock Morton, the midfielder also played for Chelsea and Crystal Palace before his retirement in 2003.

"The club is ambitious and so am I. Although my time as a player here was cut short by injury, I enjoyed my stay and took away some great memories," he continued.

"Our supporters are extremely passionate and I want to give them a team and performances they can be proud of."

Collins, 32, had been the youngest boss in English professional football and was in his first senior post, having been promoted from his role as the club's under-18s manager in June.

Stuart McCall was sacked in February after overseeing six successive losses before Simon Grayson left the club at the end of the season when his contract expired.

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74 comments

  • Comment posted by Early Ball, at 08:55 4 Sep 2018

    Good appointment. Certainly got Livingston punching above their weight. Good playing career as well which is always a bonus.

  • Comment posted by kermyisgod, at 09:03 4 Sep 2018

    2. Sensible owners?

    4 managers (so far) in a calendar year seems far from sensible. The fans are gobsmacked (I'm being polite!) at the running of the club and so unhappy.

  • Comment posted by El Tel, at 09:12 4 Sep 2018

    Thanks MVP, you are right. I wish Hopkin well, but to succeed he is going to need the Chairman to take a step back - difficult because he likes to micro manage. The club has been in turmoil for 18 months and badly needs a period of stability, especially after the sacking of the much loved Stuart McCall, which left open wounds. The supporters and indeed the city of Bradford deserve better.

  • Comment posted by The Cloud, at 09:46 4 Sep 2018

    If you read the report about the sacking, also read the caption under the picture. It says " Michael Collins's record as Bradford boss ended as played seven, won two, drawn one, lost five" Now, do some adding up!

    Someone can't count. Good luck to David Hopkin - he'll need it with a board like Bradfords.

  • Comment posted by Mark C, at 09:34 4 Sep 2018

    From premiership 17 years ago to League Two strugglers. With 21 Managers in the last 18 years, including Bryan Robson at one point, it is no surprise they're going down this year.
    It is the failings of owners that create instability. If you don't give a manger 3-4 years without interference, the club will suffer long term. Bradford offer the prime example for what not to do with managers.

  • Comment posted by Tony Watson, at 11:15 4 Sep 2018

    As a Bradford City fan for 65 years, it's been sad to watch the events of this last 8 months. The surprise appointment of Michael Collins has been a gamble gone badly wrong. He was given a great opportunity but was clearly out of his depth on the pitch and in the media.
    Hopefully David Hopkin will be able to get some performances from this under performing group of players.

  • Comment posted by U17131996, at 09:07 4 Sep 2018

    4th Manager in less than 12 months! Let’s hope the club’s board have finally learnt their lesson and give the guy a fair amount of time to turn the clubs fortunes around.

    Bradford deserve it as they are a fantastic football club with great fans.

  • Comment posted by Wakey Wakey, at 11:08 4 Sep 2018

    Bradford had a stable period; Parkinson was here for 5 yrs and the club progressed.
    Owners have admirable ideas (youth and experience, not spending beyond means etc), but making a ham-fisted way of executing it.
    Appointing Collins was brave, but players weren't buying into it. The football has been awful.
    Hope DH shakes things up and helps to repair this great club and get us going again.

  • Comment posted by Matt, at 11:34 4 Sep 2018

    Only two more Bradford managers until Xmas!

  • Comment posted by tomski , at 11:59 4 Sep 2018

    Bradford fan here. The running of the club is more than the sackings of the managers, they're a disgrace at what is a family club. Tiny budget, letting key players leave on a free and sign for rival clubs, free signings and loanees as replacements. If hopkin can stabilise us I think he can do well for us, but he can't allow himself to be a puppet to the owners like Collins did

  • Comment posted by BRIAN666, at 09:32 4 Sep 2018

    I hope Hopkin does a marvellous job

  • Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 08:57 4 Sep 2018

    Good luck to City. Would love to get the derby back on a regular basis.

  • Comment posted by U16701084, at 11:46 4 Sep 2018

    Simple question really. Why 4 managers in 2018? Must have incredibly impatient and irritating owners.

  • Comment posted by David, at 10:37 4 Sep 2018

    Why did they bother appointing Collins in the first place?! Pointless. I don't know what the owners expect.

  • Comment posted by U17117338, at 12:02 4 Sep 2018

    He has turned down a few so must really fancy doing something here, good luck to all involved.

  • Comment posted by U17131996, at 11:12 4 Sep 2018

    @25 Bob - got it. Thanks for sharing the link. An interesting read so am a bit clearer now.

    As posted earlier, Bradford are a great club with fantastic fans. Will always remember them turning over Everton when the Merseyside club were in their pomp in the late 80’s / early 90’s.

  • Comment posted by MVP, at 08:50 4 Sep 2018

    Bradford deserve a good manager. They have great fans and sensible owners and I hope they bounce back from the poor start to this season.

  • Comment posted by god boy, at 10:44 4 Sep 2018

    He built a really, really physical team at Livingston. All fitness and aggression. So expect the same.

  • Comment posted by Expert Analysis, at 18:31 4 Sep 2018

    Could be a good appointment. He done a great job at Livingston with back to back promotions with limited resources. (Hearts fan)

  • Comment posted by Bob Fossil, at 10:28 4 Sep 2018

    essentially our chairman in manager by proxy. you could appoint Jose Mourinho but with Edin "I know football" Rahic running the show and taking big chunks of cash (according to the words on the terraces) out of the club I can't see Hopkin standing much of a chance.

    fun bcafc fact (From the terraces) , our club secretary (chairmans wife) would be in the top 10 paid in the premiership....

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