Jefferies is new Bradford manager

Jefferies: Confirmed as new boss at Valley Parade

Jim Jefferies has been officially unveiled as the new manager of Bradford City.

The 50-year-old, who resigned as manager of Scottish Premier League side Hearts two weeks ago, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Valley Parade.

Caretaker boss Stuart McCall becomes Bradford's first-team coach and Billy Brown, who worked with Jefferies at Tynecastle, will be assistant manager.

Jefferies, who is Bradford's fifth manager in seven years, said: "I'm delighted to be getting the opportunity to manage in the Premier League.

"It doesn't happen that often that you can come down here from Scotland.

"Bradford are everybody's favourites to go down, but hopefully we'll prove them wrong.

Ability

"Bradford have achieved a lot in the last few years. We have a lot of ability in our squad and we need to get it out of them."

Jefferies said he would be drawing inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson and George Graham, two Scots who have enjoyed great success in England.

"If I can do as well as the other two who have come down, we'll be very happy," he said.

Bradford are everybody's favourites to go down, but hopefully we'll prove them wrong

  Jim Jefferies

Jefferies revealed he had tried to bring Bradford's controversial striker Stan Collymore to Hearts and said he was now looking forward to working with him.

"When he was at Aston Villa we tried to get him on board - but we lost out," he said.

Demoralising

"I don't think anyone can argue he can play. We have to try and get it out of him here for the team."

The Scot, who succeeds Chris Hutchings, was in the stands to see Bradford's demoralising 2-0 defeat by Derby County at Pride Park on Saturday.

It left them three points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.

His first match in charge will be the crucial Premiership game against fellow-strugglers Middlesbrough at Valley Parade on Saturday.

Jefferies brought Hearts their first trophy in 35 years - the Scottish Cup in 1998 - but quit Tynecastle after financial problems forced him to sell his best players.