Bradford City are close to naming Robbie Stockdale as their new manager, according to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett.
The League One side have been in the hunt for a new manager after Simon Grayson left at the end of the season. They may now have found their man in Robbie Stockdale, with negotiations ongoing with him.
The 38-year-old has recently left his position as the assistant manager of Sunderland and could not be handed his first managerial role in football.
Stockdale played for the likes of Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Hull City, Tranmere Rovers and Grimsby Town in his playing days as a defender. He also made five caps for the Scotland national team.
He became the youth team manager of Grimsby Town in 2010 whilst still playing for the Mariners. He got the taste of management in March 2011 as a caretaker before Paul Hurst, who is now the manager of Championship side Ipswich Town, took over.
Stockdale left Grimsby in August 2012 to move to Sunderland, who at the team were in the Premier League. He had roles as youth team coach and Under-21’s manager during his early years with the Black Cats. Stockdale was promoted to become their first-team coach in October 2015.
He has had three separate stints as their caretaker manager during times when Sunderland have sacked managers. His most recent stints in charge at the Stadium of Light was at the end of last season when they were relegated to League One.
Robbie Stockdale is a promising young coach and would be an interesting appointment by Bradford City.
