Whether Bradford City’s next permanent manager is young or old, forward-thinking or traditional, they will have to deal with the same issue.
Should that particularly thorny issue be resolved, then the Bantams’ prospects of vacating the fourth tier of English football, which they are so desperate to leave behind, will be significantly enhanced.
Everyone acknowledges that City’s numbers at Valley Parade, in terms of crowds, are pretty exemplary. Their vital statistics in terms of League Two form on home soil are most definitely not, by contrast.
“But we then went on a long winning run, so everything was fine.”
McDonald’s continued success in League Two has given City a priceless window of opportunity to find Mark Hughes’ permanent replacement.
The talk about McDonald’s chances of staying in the dugout permanently would become a potential clamor with three points against Wrexham, who were predicted to win promotion in the summer.
Given that expectations have been heightened following three-point victories over AFC Wimbledon and Swindon, two teams that had previously impressed in 2023–24, Saturday will serve as his key test in this regard.
McDonald is admirably not planning too far ahead. He is overly preoccupied with day-to-day enjoyment.
He isn’t placing unnecessary pressure on himself because he has the good judgment to recognize that no matter what happens, he will be wiser for the experience.
The 34-year-old stated, “For me, the most important thing is that I’m having fun. I was unsure of how I would react to it.
But the circumstance is still odd. I can go from a green training top one day to a blue one the next, but it’s all in good fun.
“I always try to create a friendly, enjoyable atmosphere.
When it’s necessary, we work hard, but in the interim, I’ve always been a player who enjoys a good laugh and a joke.
“As long as I’m in charge here, that’s how it will always be.”
Despite his willingness to engage in lighthearted humor, McDonald is dead serious about the fact that coaching and management are the next logical step in his football career.
He appreciates what he is letting himself in for. It’s all-consuming and 24/7.
But equally it’s something he has been preparing for – for a good while – having broadened his knowledge under several contrasting managers. He has kept a written record of what he has learned.
McDonald, who had coaching experience during the latter spell of his time at Fulham, added: “I did take a lot of notes over the course of these last few years.
“I didn’t expect to use them at this exact moment in time, but I am and it’s stood me in good stead so far. There will be more to come.
“Gary Caldwell was a really good coach and I learned a lot from him last season (at Exeter).
“But I’ve taken little bits throughout over the course of the last five years.
“I’ve worked with completely different managers. (Claudio) Ranieri was a completely defensive coach and I learned lots from that.
“I’ve also had fully-attacking coaches so I kind of need to be somewhere in between that in terms of a playing style.”
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