Bradford City will face Leyton Orient next week without manager Graham Alexander after his departure for Preston North End. The move reshapes the managerial landscape for Orient’s next opponents, who sit second in League One ahead of the trip to Valley Parade on 10 October.
Alexander’s exit ends a major spell in charge of the Bantams. He took over in November 2023 with the club 16th in League Two and led them to promotion in 2025, followed by a play-off finish last season. His record of 79 wins in 158 games gave him the best win rate of any Bradford manager with at least 65 games in charge.
Alexander's Bradford legacy
Under his guidance, Bradford established a formidable home record, once winning 10 consecutive games at Valley Parade to break a club record dating back to 1953. They had just six league losses there from March 2024 onwards. The team’s aggressive, direct style, built over a summer of targeted recruitment, made them a tough proposition for any visiting side, including Leyton Orient who lost 3-1 at home to Bradford in early September.
Mark Trueman and Colin Doyle have taken interim charge, with Trueman stepping into the caretaker role for a fifth time. He acknowledged the initial disruption. “Some of the players were a little unsettled, didn’t know what was going on or who was taking the team,” Trueman said. “But the players have just got on with business and that’s the key. It shows the mentality of the team.”
Search for a successor
Bradford’s search for a permanent successor is underway, with several names linked to the role. Former Wycombe boss Michael Duff, sacked last month, is heavily connected, while Plymouth manager Tom Cleverley has also been mentioned. The club has not lost a manager mid-season in 43 years.
For Leyton Orient, currently 11th with 10 points from eight games, the fixture represents a chance to improve a recent run of one win in five league matches. The O’s will need to be wary of a Bradford side that, despite the managerial change, possesses a strong squad built for Alexander’s methods. The hosts have scored 15 goals this season, averaging a goal every 48 minutes, but their recent form has been inconsistent, taking just 7 points from their last 6 games. Fans can check the full fixtures list for the upcoming schedule.
The match at Valley Parade will be a key test for both sides, with Bradford aiming to maintain their promotion push and Orient looking to climb the standings. Alexander’s assistant Chris Lucketti has followed him to Preston, leaving a new manager to inherit a team that had the best home record in Europe’s top five leagues last year. Leyton Orient travel to Bradford on Saturday, 10 October.
Background and full detail: The Guardian
