It was risk I had to take – Grayson.
SIMON Grayson returned to management last week, seemingly unscathed by a savage three-month stint at Sunderland.
“It’s not discouraged me,” insisted the 48-year-old, who won just three of his 18 games at the Stadium of Light before being sacked at the end of October. “And it hasn’t scarred me, either. Was it nice getting sacked so soon after taking the job? Of course not. But the only thing it really did was hurt my pride.”
Yet the short-term deal Grayson has signed at Bradford suggests otherwise. By his own admission, the former Leicester defender has always sought stability.
“I’ve always tried to build football clubs,” he says. “I had three years at Leeds and Blackpool, four-and-a-half at Preston.
“I lasted 18 months at Huddersfield. Even then, (chairman) Dean Hoyle has often said to me ‘I was probably a bit too harsh on you there’.”
But when Edin Rahic and Stefan Rupp, the Bantams’ German co-owners, begged Stuart McCall’s replacement to sign a three-year contract, Grayson agreed only to see out the season.
At his unveiling on Thursday, Grayson played the diplomat. “I want to know that everything is right from my perspective,” he insisted.
“But I also want the owners to be sure that I’m right for them. They’ve invested quite heavily in me and if it doesn’t work out – for whatever reason – then they don’t want to be lumbered with a payout.”
Yet the Yorkshireman also knows that McCall spent much of the last 12 months at loggerheads with his paymasters, who demanded a significant say in everything from recruitment to tactics and team selection.
Already seduced by one whited sepulchre at Sunderland, Grayson was not about to bind himself to another.
Confidence
Denne historien er fra February 18, 2018-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 18, 2018-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.