By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

10th Oct, 2023 | 8:22am

Sources: Crewe boss Lee Bell in frame for Bradford City job

Crewe Alexandra boss Lee Bell is in the frame for the vacant manager’s job at Bradford City, sources have told Football Insider.

Bradford are searching for a new manager following the departure of Mark Hughes last week after a poor start to the season.

Bell, 40, is earning himself a reputation as one of the brightest young managers in the country after impressing at Crewe since taking charge of the Railwaymen in December 2022.

Forward-thinking coach Bell has guided Crewe to sixth place in League Two after 12 games.

They are currently the top scorers in the division despite having one of the smallest budgets in the league.

The former Crewe midfielder also enjoyed leading his side to a memorable League Cup win at Championship high-fliers Sunderland earlier this season.

Bell has taken charge of 47 senior matches at the Cheshire club, winning 17 and drawing 14.

He led Crewe to a 15th-place finish last term after taking charge with the club sitting 16th in the table and winless in nine games.

The 40-year-old made 146 appearances across two spells at Gresty Road as a player.

Bradford sacked Hughes with the Yorkshire side sat 18th in League Two.

The Bantams, who finished sixth last season and were eliminated in the semi-final stage in the play-offs, have since placed Kevin McDonald in a caretaker player-manager role.

Bradford face Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday (10 October).

Their next league test comes against fourth-place AFC Wimbledon on Saturday (14 October).

In other news, Brentford and Burnley set sights on signing EFL star.