Bradford City has officially announced that manager Graham Alexander has signed a new three-year contract, extending his stay at the club until the summer of 2028. This move comes after a highly successful season that saw the Bantams earn promotion to League One after six years in the lower division.

Alexander, who took over in November 2023, has been instrumental in transforming the club's fortunes. In his first full season, he guided Bradford to a third-placed finish in League Two, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion but securing their place in the higher tier through a dramatic stoppage-time winner by Antoni Sarcevic against Fleetwood Town.

A Winning Mentality Restored

Under Alexander's leadership, Bradford has seen a significant shift in culture. The team enjoyed 10 consecutive home wins and demonstrated a resilience that had been missing in previous seasons. His win percentage of 49.5% over 91 games speaks volumes about his impact.

"I am really happy. I have had a brilliant time here in the last 20 months," Alexander said in an interview with the club's website. "The success on the pitch tells only half of the story of what we came here for and what we have achieved as a club."

Looking Ahead to League One

With the new contract, Alexander is now focused on re-establishing Bradford in League One. The club's return to the third tier marks a significant milestone, and Alexander is keen to build on the momentum from last season.

"Everyone aspires to play in front of thousands of people and in big games, and we have that opportunity here every week," he added. "You have to start placing the building blocks from day one; what happened at the end of the season was a culmination of a process."

A Stable Future

The new deal for Alexander and his assistant Chris Lucketti also signals the club's commitment to stability. This is the first time since November 2020 that Bradford has offered a long-term contract to a manager, highlighting the trust and confidence the board has in Alexander's vision.

As the new League One season approaches, the focus is firmly on the future. With a renewed sense of purpose and a manager who has already etched his name into Bradford City folklore, the club is poised for an exciting new chapter.

Analysis

Jamie Raynor, BBC Radio Leeds, noted, "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 timing of the announcement, just days before the new season, is strategic. It ends any speculation about Alexander's future and allows the club to focus entirely on the upcoming campaign. With the potential for further success, the question now is whether another promotion could be on the horizon for Bradford City under Alexander's leadership.