Bradford City boss Graham Alexander agrees new three-year contract

Analysis, Jamie Raynor, BBC Radio Leeds

Given the memorable achievement of promotion to League One last season, it should come as no real surprise that Graham Alexander and his assistant Chris Lucketti have been rewarded with new contracts.

Their influence at the football club has transformed the culture across the board, and instilled a winning mentality that has for many years felt lost at Valley Parade.

The fact both have received new three-year deals, as opposed to extensions of their existing contracts which were up next summer, suggests improved terms and a financial commitment by the board.

The timing of the announcement is also key, with just days until the new League One season. It ends any discussion or speculation surrounding the topic and allows everyone at the club to focus solely on the coming campaign.

Without question, the club is enjoying its most settled period on and off the field since the days of Phil Parkinson as manager.

It is the first time since November 2020 that the club has announced any form of new deal or contract extension for its manager, and that lasted only two weeks before then boss Stuart McCall was sacked. That in itself speaks volumes of the club’s current trajectory.

Promotion has already written Alexander’s name into Bradford City folklore. Yet his comments following today’s announcement suggests an appetite for success that has not yet been fulfilled.

Such is the potential at Valley Parade, might the carrot of another Bradford City promotion be in his sights?