Former Chelsea and Everton man sacked by EFL club after poor run of form as ex-Fulham man steps in

Former Chelsea man Mark Hughes has been sacked by Bradford City. The Welshman has been dismissed by the Yorkshire club following their slow start to the new League Two season.

The 59-year-old dropped down into the fourth tier last year and guided the Bantams to the play-offs in his first campaign at the helm. However, they have struggled so far this term and have decided to make a managerial change, with ex-Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald stepping into interim charge.

Chelsea signed Hughes in 1995 from Manchester United and he went on to make 123 appearances for them in all competitions, chipping in with 39 goals. He also had spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn Rovers before hanging up his boots in 2002.

The Runcorn-born man has been in management ever since but will have to weigh up his next move in the game now after leaving Valley Parade.

Speaking after Bradford’s 2-1 loss away at Tranmere Rovers in his final game, he said: “We’re just in a period where we are struggling to convert games into points on the board. If the team looked disorganised or a team lacking energy, focus or energy then I’d be more concerned. But they are not.

“They are a good team, a good group of players to work with. They kept their confidence today and kept going. They can turn it round because they are good players.

“It’s just a period that you have during a season. You can have it beginning, middle or end, it doesn’t matter really. But at the beginning of the season people seem to assume that’s how it’s going to be all season. That’s not the case.”

Hughes has also managed Wales, Blackburn, Fulham, QPR, Stoke City and Southampton in the past. He has won 37.4% of matches in the dugout to date.