Former Leeds and Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom new favourite for Bradford job

Paul Heckingbottom could be set for the "Yorkshire hat-trick" after he was installed as the new favourite for the Bradford City vacancy.

Heckingbottom, who is on holiday in Greece, was sent packing by Leeds on Friday, just four months after he'd joined the Yorkshire club from their county rivals Barnsley.

In the aftermath of his Elland Road exit Heckingbottom burst into the next Barnsley manager market at 8/1, but now 24 hours later he has emerged as the new frontrunner to take charge of Bradford, with whom Barnsley will do battle with in League One next season.

The Bantams are currently searching for their third gaffer of 2018, having sacked Stuart McCall back in February, while his replacement Simon Grayson opted to leave the club at the end of the campaign following a disappointing return of three wins from 14 games.

Bradford have since been linked with the likes of Grant McCann, Mark Warburton, David Hopkin and Uwe Rosler, however Heckingbottom's Leeds sacking means the club may now be keen to open up talks with their former defender.

During his playing days the 40-year-old had three spells at the Bantams - one on loan - and was named the club's Player of the Season back in 2004.

Chairman Edin Rahic has said that he hopes to conclude the search for Grayson's successor next week, while he also told The Telegraph And Argus:

“The candidates we’ve spoken to are all very interested in a mid to long-term project and are all more than happy to be judged not only by results, but by the development of the players.

“The targets and ideas we have as a club are not usual for league one and therefore it takes a little bit longer find the right candidate.

“You have to speak with several people and have several meetings to have a really good feeling about them.

“We have to find someone willing to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.”