Bradford put faith in Robson's return

Bryan Robson has been named as the new manager of struggling First Division side Bradford City.

The 46-year-old takes over from Nicky Law, who was sacked over three weeks ago following a miserable run of 11 League games without a victory.

The former Bolton manager Colin Todd has been appointed as his assistant at Valley Parade.

The former England captain has been off the managerial circuit since leaving Middlesbrough in December 2000 but has signed what is believed to be a short-term contract with the Yorkshire club.

Robson had hoped for a return to football with the Nigerian national team last month but the opportunity fell through with the financing of his salary believed to be the problem.

Robson inherits a side desperately needing a change of luck - on and off the pitch. Bradford lie second from bottom in the First Division with just one home win to their name all season.

The former Manchester United midfielder will also be forced to work on a shoestring budget as the club's financial plight has yet to stabilise since coming out of administration in February.

The Bradford defender Wayne Jacobs believes Robson has what it takes to help the club stave off relegation.

Robson and Todd conducted training at Bradford for the first time yesterday and Jacobs said his presence has already served as an inspiration for everyone at the club.

"Colin and Bryan met the lads on Monday in training and went through all the usual introductions and then did a bit of ball work," said Jacobs, who assumed control of first-team duties with Peter Atherton for the 1-0 defeat at Stoke on Saturday.

"Everyone can't wait to get going now as well as listening to the thoughts and ideas the two of them have to help the club get going again.

"The presence of Bryan simply being at the club has already given everyone a boost. I remember him as a player and he was as good as it gets in that position."

Robson took charge at Boro in May 1994 and his managerial career began promisingly enough as he steered them to the First Division title at the end of his first season.

The Boro chairman, Steve Gibson, believed he had the man in place to entrust with his fortune, and gave Robson the green light to spend over £60m on players.

All Middlesbrough had to show for their lavish spending when Robson quit two-and-a-half years ago was one ninth-placed finish and three cup final defeats, plus a season back in the First Division in 1997-98.

Jacobs is confident that the Bantams have the right man to get them out of trouble this term. He added: "There is not one thing that needs working on so it will be just a case of letting them get on with it and seeing where they feel improvements can be made with the players we have here.

"Although the results have not being going for us, we've got a good, young squad here and I'm very confident that Bryan and Colin's arrival will help us get our season back on track."

* Stan Collymore will not be returning to Southend United as the club's manager. The club's owner, Ron Martin, believes that the Third Division side need a more experienced man in charge and intend to seek permission from Oxford to speak to their manager, Ian Atkins. The former West Ham manager Glenn Roeder yesterday dismissed reports linking him with the job.