It's that time of the year again...

For the third time since June 2000 it looks like a new manager will be needed at Valley Parade.

The last time the City job was advertised there seemed to be a depth of candidates with the shortlist running to 44 names. This time the number of possible is worryingly low. In vague order of the chance they have of getting the job:

  1. Stuart McCall

    City's legendary midfielder who took the role as caretaker manager pre-Jim Jefferies and was assistant manager and a coach at the club in 2000.

    Why he should get the job: Knows the club inside out. Respected by (one half of?) the players.

    Why he should not get the job: Has not impressed in his management thus far in his career. His fall out with Jefferies left a nasty taste in the mouth.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who want to see the team play with more heart than anything else.

    BfB opinion: Would be a good apointment provided he can get a back room staff together.

  2. Chris Kamara

    He took City up at Wembley and kept us in the First Division before being sacked after "Taking the club as far as he could". Since had twelve bad weeks at Stoke and has become a Sky TV pundit (Note the lack of the phrase "Well Respected").

    Why he should get the job: Because we know him. We know he cares about City, that he is passionate and can get that passion over to the players.

    Why he should not get the job: Because we know he has faults.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who thought he got sacked too soon.

    BfB opinion: Would be interesting to see if the four years studying football for SKY had improved Kammy's impressive skills base. Worth considering.

  3. Roy Evans

    The one time Anfield boot room boss has just left Swindon after a change of ownership and interested Geoffrey Richmond when Chris Hutchings was appointed.

    Why they should get the job: Because Evans is a quality coach.

    Why they should not get the job: Because Evans has little on his CV at senior level after spending most of a career in the shadows at Liverpool.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who want passing football and the return of Phil Babb.

    BfB opinion: A good idea, but would have been better in a partnership with someone more able to take the weight of the PR side of the manager's job.

  4. George Graham

    Former Arsenal, Spurs and Leeds boss who is rumoured to have met with GR about the job already. Not popular and known to favour living in London. Confirmed Arsenal fan reeks of Jefferies hearts being elsewhere.

    Why he should get the job: He is a good manager.

    Why he should not get the job: He is a crook and an idiot.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who only look at City's results in the T&A.

    BfB opinion: Worth considering because of his track record, but nothing suggests that he is the right man for City.

  5. Roy Hodgeson

    Took the Swiss to the World Cup. Managed Blackburn Rovers, Inter Milan and Southend. Old school style management and tactics of 442 and hard work would go down well at VP.

    Why he should get the job: Most experienced man available.

    Why he should not get the job: A little too old school for a club that's better appointments of the last couple of decades: Chris Kamara, Paul Jewell, Trevor Cherry, Roy McFarland, even Terry Dolan, have been rookies.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: The huge Swiss element in Bradford.

    BfB opinion: Worth thinking about.

  6. Steve Smith

    Caretaker manager and youth team boss. Should he have a good run as Caretaker then he could get the job.

    Why he should get the job: Knows the club.

    Why he should not get the job: No experience running a club. Stinks of Chris Hutchings.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: The youth team.

    BfB opinion: Not really an option.

  7. Gunnar Halle

    Current right back at City with a prile of Norway caps and a couple of offers to go into coaching in his native country.

    Why he should get the job: Knows the club, very experienced having played in the World Cup.

    Why he should not get the job: Never shown an interest in coaching at City. Not the most popular player at the club.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who are in love with Sven Goran and think City should have similar.

    BfB opinion: A bad move that would make City look even more like Leeds B.

  8. Peter Jackson

    Former City hero turned Town manager turned agent. Linked to the job despite having said that he does not want to go back into management. "Cooled" when he got a negative reaction from some at BCFC (The fans for one).

    Why he should get the job: Has some experience and was loved by Bantam fans once.

    Why he should not get the job: Much of his abilities as manager were put down to Terry Yorath.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who remember him in 1985.

    BfB opinion: Offers little that can not be found in either Collymore/Evans or McCall/coach partnership.

  9. Joe Royle

    Sacked from almost every club in the North West Joe Royle was sounded out for the City job but held out to be offered a post at Manchester City. Understood not to be interested.

    Why he should get the job: Because he has experience.

    Why he should not get the job: Because he is often sacked and looks like a potato.

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Your Dad.

    BfB opinion: Why take a proven failure on?

  10. Nigel Spackman

    Was Barnsley manager when City spanked them 4-1 but has since been sacked.

    Why he should get the job: Did very well at Sheffield United.

    Why he should not get the job: Time served as a midfielder on Merseyside and for Glasgow Rangers? I think I can think of someone else who had those qualities...

    Who would like to see him get the job?: Those who want another list like this in 16 months time.

    BfB opinion: Offers less than Danny Wilson.

The out of the running

The following would seem to have no chance to becoming City boss.

The others