Preston North End legend’ in line’ for swift return to management with League Two club
Bradford City are expected to announce their manager ‘imminently’ and there is a strong possibility that it could be a Preston North End legend.
The Bantams sacked former Chelsea and Manchester United forward Mark Hughes on October 4, and now their month-long search for a manager looks to be over. Kevin MacDonald was placed in caretaker charge and then Mark Trueman took charge of the FA Cup clash against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.
Both, however, won’t be in their caretaker roles much longer. Numerous reports state that Bradford’s appointment is imminent, with interviews said to have been cancelled according to Look Sports Media. Substantiating such news, BBC journalist Ian Dennis said: “From what I heard last night, it sounded like an appointment was imminent. Graham Alexander in line but wait and see.”
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Preston North End have been linked with a move for Hammarby star Nathaniel Adjei.
It was reported last weekend – by journalist Alan Nixon – that North End are ‘in talks’ to sign Adjei. It is suggested that a loan deal, with a view to a permanent, is being discussed. PNE are said to be ‘making the biggest push’, with it claimed that North End are willing to pay the reported £3m asking price.
Summer signing Milutin Osmajic is Preston North End’s club record signing, having joined from Cadiz for a fee in the region of £2m. Adjei, though, could quickly surpass that outlay if the rumours are true. We take a look at what the Lilywhites might be getting, should any pursuit result in success.
Adjei is a centre-back. He is right-footed and has also played at right-back for his current club.
What is his background?
Adjei started youth football at 11-years-of-age and played for Danbury, a club in the south-east region in Ghana. He was promoted to their first-team before being loaned out to Hammarby TFF, which is the development side of Hammarby and plays in the third tier of Swedish football. He has a combined six caps for Ghana’s under-20 and under-23’s teams. He was captain of Ghana’s under-17’s team, and was called up to the under-20 squad at just 16-years-old.
How has Adjei fared so far in senior level football?
Adjei has been enjoying a breakout season. He was promoted to the first-team by Marti Cifuentes, who was recently appointed manager of North End’s Championship rivals QPR. He has made 25 appearances in the league and cup this season, with eight clean sheets and one goal. Adjei played in the two UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers against Dutch outfit FC Twente. He has made 30 appearances so far for Hammarby’s senior team, in addition to the 22 times he played for the development side.
“He will develop into a top-notch defender, in my opinion,” said Marti Cifuentes, who is now the manager of QPR. “We know the talent we have on our hands, because he has displayed glimpses of being a top-notch football player.”
What is the current situation?
Celtic and Rangers are also said to hold an interest, with the latter ahead in the race. Sky Sports reported that the Ibrox club have had a representative watch him in the last month. Celtic, meanwhile, are ‘monitoring’ the situation. Teams in Belgium and Italy are said to hold an interest in the defender. Hammarby’s season ends against Halmstad this week (Sunday, November 12) and that will allow plenty of time for Adjei to make any decision on his future.
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