Mutual respect as old managerial rivals go head to head again

A familiar face will welcome Jack Ross to Valley Parade tomorrow – and an old rivalry will be resumed.

New Bradford boss David Hopkin is slowly starting to turn the Bantams’ season around and they welcome Sunderland having kept consecutive clean sheets in the league.

Ross knows exactly what to expect. The pair have twice tussled for promotion north of the border, first when he was at Alloa and then with St Mirren last season.

“Even going back to my second season at Alloa, David was in charge at Livingston when they won their first promotion,” Ross said.

“I know him well, we’ve got a really close mutual friend as well. What he achieved at Livingston was fantastic.

“Looking at his Bradford team to date, I don’t think they’re playing entirely as he’d like them to play, until January probably when he can get his own type of personnel in. “I think he’s probably, as you have to do, find a way with the personnel he’s got. “All his teams play with a great deal of energy though, I know what to expect in that regard. “It’ll be nice to come up against someone that I’m with familiar with, I’ve not known any of the managers so far.

“David I suppose was slightly different coming down in that he had a very good playing career in England.

“He left Livingston without another job so it’s a slightly different set of circumstances,” he added.

“I think managing in England, you are managing in a different country and that’s part of the attraction. Because of the proximity of the two it’s never really seen as that, but it’s a different challenge.

“Playing each other twice a year rather than four times, the different stadiums, maybe that excited him as well.”

Hopkin praised Ross’ ‘bravery’ in taking on what had come to be seen as something of a poisoned chalice.

“He’s an intelligent man and has got something about him that he wants to show people he can do it,” he told the Bradford T&A.

“Sunderland have had four or five managers over the last four years and none of them have worked out.

“Jack was brave enough to go and take the challenge. You’ve got to take your hat off to him.

“It was probably an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“I’m glad that he’s come down and done well because it’s a tough job to do.

“He’s been given a fantastic opportunity at Sunderland, a massive club.

“I think he deserved it. He’s level-headed and a good coach.”