[long_read]

It was not long ago that promotion to the Championship seemed more a matter of when rather than if for Bradford City, but that has changed very quickly this season.

The Bantams are currently right in the midst of an intense relegation battle, one that they look like they will struggle to get out of, sat in 23rd place with 34 matches played.

Just three points separate them from a position of safety, however, giving them a glimmer of hope of escaping from what would be a fairly humiliating relegation.

Another challenge was thrown their way this week as well when manager David Hopkin decided to quit his role at the club just as the season entered its crunch stage.

Whilst he had overseen minor improvements during his time, there was still no consistency to the club's performances and showed little signs of escaping the mire.

So, the hunt is now on for a replacement and here are THREE names they should avoid at all costs...

[snack_break title="Steve Evans"]

Whilst Evans has shown he has what it takes to achieve success in the third tier, this would be a dreadful choice.

Bradford are in a fragile position at the moment and bringing in somebody as decisive as Evans could spell disaster for them.

Not to mention his near 20 signings that he will probably demand in the summer that they simply cannot afford to make.

[snack_break title="Russell Slade"]

Somehow his name still gets mentioned.

Slade has been included at 16/1 for the job but has shown since leaving Leyton Orient that he no longer has the ability to manage at a club with any sort of prestige.

Yes, he did a great job with Orient, but that has been it and it would be a massive gamble expecting him to recreate that now.

[snack_break title="Ian Holloway"]

It may look like an attractive prospect, given his success in the Championship, but Holloway should be nowhere near any wish list.

He showed in his last spells with Millwall and QPR that his powers are quickly fading.

Not to mention his inability to perform in a pressured environment any more, which he showed at Millwall is probably beyond him.

[/long_read]