Bradford City AFC is pleased to announce the hiring of David Sharpe as the club’s head of football operations.
The former Wigan Athletic and Mansfield Town chairman joins the University of Bradford Stadium in a new role after leaving the One Call Stadium in July of last year.
The 32-year-old became the Stags’ director of football in May 2020, before being named chief executive five months later, a position he maintained for nearly three years.
Sharpe began his career as a director at the DW Stadium in December 2014 and was appointed chairman of the Latics when Dave Whelan resigned in March 2015.
He will now collaborate with City’s men’s first-team manager Graham Alexander, head of recruiting Stephen Gent, and academy director Mark Litherland to extend and improve the club’s football operations.
When Sharpe joined the Bantams, he declared, “I am extremely glad to be here. I spoke with Ryan [Sparks], and it was something that really appealed to me.
“I’ve always enjoyed coming here, and it’s a location I’ve always admired from afar while attending Mansfield. I have a passion for football, and it would have been difficult to pass up this opportunity when it arose.
“I’m familiar with the level now, which will help me, but each football team is unique. I’ve had initial discussions with Graham Alexander and Stephen Gent, and our perspectives are pretty similar. It is evident to me that we have some really good people here.
“I told Ryan what I believe we can do and where we need to improve, both on and off the pitch, in terms of developing a long-term plan and project.
“I’d want to thank Ryan and Stefan Rupp for their encouragement and for the opportunity to join and maybe be a part of something amazing at Bradford City. I can’t wait to get started, and the hard work begins now.
Ryan Sparks, the club’s CEO, added: “I am delighted to welcome David to our club, in what is a new role for us. This is a job I’ve wanted to add to our football department for a while, and after speaking with Stefan last week, I finally have the means to do so.
“I am always eager to recruit the greatest talent to our organization, and David is another excellent addition to Bradford City. He will be working with Graham and Stephen, our manager and head of recruiting, and Mark Litherland, our head of academy. We are all looking forward to an essential but enjoyable summer season.
“I’ve known David for some time. We’ve had countless chats over the years, notably when he was leading Mansfield Town, one of our competitors, and our perspectives are extremely similar.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish him well, and hope you will join me in giving him a warm welcome to the club.”
