CITY'S chief executive Ryan Sparks has admitted he would not rule out Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars taking the top job again in future, as he hopes they can build up further experience within the club.

But he is optimistic about success and longevity under a new manager for the time being, and while he wouldn't reveal a name, he said City know where they're going to go on that front.

Sparks said: "Conversations are ongoing about what those next roles could be for Mark and Conor. But it's massively important for me that they stay.

"I'm trying to build a Bradford City that's united and I think the fact Mark and Conor are considering staying with us after being removed from their roles says a lot about the football club we're building and how we've come a long way in the last few years.

"They're two of our own and we want to help them develop to get themselves back in the frame if you like.

"If and when we ever have to change a manager again, we want them to have a chance to apply for the role, be in the running and potentially take the job.

"They've got a lot of the minerals required but they know themselves they need a few more and they want to gain more experience. I think they'll get that in time."

Asked whether he felt he had maybe jumped the gun in offering the duo the managerial role until the end of next season in February, Sparks insisted: "I don't regret any decision, I never do.

"It's not about the one you make in the now, it's about the next one. I don't think it was the wrong call and I had no desire to let them leave the business either.

"Their contracts are their contracts. I made them an offer the club could afford so I never put us at risk in that regard.

"It always allowed me the potential to keep them here, as they have another year on their initial contracts and we now could potentially renegotiate something different altogether.

"It was a reward for their endeavour and I thought they deserved that for their families and what they'd put them through in getting our football club out of a difficult situation."

For now though, it is time to move on, and asked if he knew who City's new boss would be, Sparks said: "I know where we're going to go on that front if all goes to plan, but I can't really say too much more than that about it at the moment."

Not since Stuart McCall between 2016 and 2018 have City had a manager last longer than a year at the club.

Asked if City are in desperate need now of that long-term solution, Sparks said: "For sure.

"For the record, I've only appointed Mark and Conor, so I'm happy to be judged on my decisions, not the ones made before me, as there have been some crackers situations that have gone on.

"I'm not going to sit there and justify or defend decisions made before my time, that's up to the people that made them.

"I've talked about building and creating stability and having a vision and that hasn't changed. I've got a very clear vision for this football club and if people haven't worked it out yet, they're going to very quickly.

"I'm looking for success, but I am looking for longevity and sustained success and I believe that will come in the next appointment.

"That is my plan and I'm very optimistic about that. I'm certainly not looking for a short-term fix, and at no point were Mark and Conor that.

"But as I discussed with them privately, it's also important that whoever is in the dugout, I believe they can carry the weight of expectation and what is required of them and that's why the change was made.

"Of course I'm looking for a long-term appointment, no-one goes out there to appoint managers on a whim.

"Whoever comes in will have my full support and backing, as it will be my first managerial appointment from outside the four walls.

"People can say what they like about their thoughts on what's gone before and start giving me stats on how many managers we've had in the last 20 years, but I've only been chief executive since November, so it's utterly irrelevant to me personally.

"It's not irrelevant to the bigger picture, I understand that, but this club is very attractive to people, and with the right person in the job, it can be very successful.

"I believe this is a very powerful organisation once it gets itself in the right place and we are moving towards that place in my opinion.

"That view won't be shared by everybody but it's my job to make the decisions that others perhaps don't want to make.

"One of my traits has always been that I don't like things to drift. I'm quite keen to make clear decisions very quickly so we don't get into a position of sliding.

"You could argue that we've slid this season but that needs to be put into context if you want to argue that.

"I know what I feel is right and I've got to back myself. Having spoken to (owner) Stefan (Rupp) at length about this, the decisions we take together are to better the football club.

"We both want the same thing and that is shared among our supporter base.

"I understand what people will throw out in terms of statistics, but the only one I'm interested in is the position we finish in the league next season, and the one after that and the one after that."

In Monday's club statement about Trueman and Sellars being sacked, Sparks talked about a crucial few months ahead.

Asked to expand on that, he said: "It's important that we have a club that is ready for next season on a number of levels, the stadium set up, being safe with Covid, right down to who's in the dressing room.

"The most important thing is the football department is ready to take on the challenges in front of it.

"There are major improvements required and those are now underway."