Bradford reject Collymore

Bradford struggled under Jim Jeffries

Stan Collymore's hopes of cutting his teeth in management at Bradford City have been rebuffed by chairman Geoffrey Richmond.

The former striker had expressed interest in the manager's job at Valley Parade following the the departure of Jim Jeffries.

However, Richmond revealed that he did not consider Collymore's interest a "serious application".

He also stated that the club would not poach any manager currently under contract. "We don't do things that way", he said.

'Clean sheet'

Former England international Collymore spent three months with Bradford last season before moving to Real Oviedo.

The much travelled and often troubled 30-year-old played only 88 minutes of football in Spain before announcing his retirement.

"I would like to thank Stan Collymore for his interest but unfortunately we cannot consider it as a serious application," Richmond said.

"I don't want to comment on individuals, but we start with a clean sheet and look at all available candidates.

Stan knows what is needed to turn a club like Bradford around

Collymore's lawyer Jonathan Crystal

"We are reluctant to go about this in haste, but we will not be making an approach for any manager currently under contract with another club," he added.

Richmond also denied reports that Jeffries had been sacked.

"Jim Jefferies resigned and it was accepted, but it was done verbally and now lawyers are involved," Richmond said.

"The claim is that it wasn't a resignation but an intention to resign. I am confident in our case.

"As far as we are concerned he resigned, but I must say that talks with Jim Jefferies were amicable."

Jefferies, who was the 27th managerial casualty of the season, is taking legal advice about claiming compensation for the remaining 18 months of his contract.

His lawyers are due to issue a statement within the next few days.