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Mark Trueman (born 7 February 1988) is an English football coach and former player who is a coach at Bradford City.

Early life

Trueman was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire.[2]

Playing career

Trueman played youth football for Bradford City,[3] and in non-league football as a midfielder for Ossett Town, Guiseley, Ossett Albion, Harrogate Railway Athletic, Thackley, Brighouse Town and Eccleshill United.[4]

He played for Guiseley in 2007,[5] and Ossett Albion in 2013.[6]

He later played for Silsden,[7] leaving the club in February 2018 to return to Thackley.[8] He later returned to Silsden, before again returning to Thackley in October 2020.[9]

Coaching career

Trueman worked as a youth coach at FC Halifax Town.[10] He later worked for Bradford City as under-18 team manager,[11] before being appointed caretaker manager alongside Conor Sellars in December 2020.[12][13] Their first match was a 1–1 draw away at Crawley Town on 15 December 2020, the club's first point in six games.[14][15] The club's CEO Ryan Sparks said that Trueman and Sellars had the board's full support whilst the search for a permanent manager was ongoing.[16] Their second match was a 1–0 victory at home against Cambridge United on 19 December 2020, the club's first league win in eight matches.[17][18] After the result, Truman and Sellars had a celebratory beer, and then spent seven to eight hours the next day planning for the next game.[19] Trueman later said he intended to move into management after his caretaker spell ended.[20] After leading the club to their third straight win, he downplayed his chances of being appointed permanent manager,[21] but said he was keen to maintain his position as caretaker manager for as long as possible.[22][23]

On 28 December 2020 it was announced that Trueman and Sellars had been promoted to 'interim' managers and would remain in charge of the team for at least January 2021.[24][25][26] In January 2021 he spoke of his confidence that the club could maintain their good form, even though a number of games had been postponed due to COVID-19 and adverse weather,[27] and later that month he spoke about a 'busy' transfer window for the club,[28] as well as about how well the club's players had coped with nearly a month without a competitive match.[29]

In February 2021 Sparks said that Trueman and Sellars were happy with their 'interim' status and were not pushing to be made permanent managers.[30] Later that month, after suffering their first defeat in 9 games under Trueman and Sellars, Trueman said that he was sure the players would bounce back.[31] Later that month Trueman and Sellars were nominated for the January 2021 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, after 2 wins and 1 draw in their 3 league games that month.[32] Trueman and Sellars were also praised by player Connor Wood for their maturity and detail.[33]

On 22 February 2021 Trueman and Sellars were announced as Bradford City's joint permanent managers, on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season.[34] They were the youngest managers in the English Football League.[3]

By 8 March 2021, Trueman and Sellars had won 10 out of 15 league games, only losing once, and guided Bradford City from 22nd to 10th in the division.[3] That same day the duo were nominated for the February 2021 EFL League Two Manager of the Month award, after one loss and four successive victories.[35]

In May 2021, after a dip in the team's form which saw them lose 5 matches in a row, Sellars said that he and Trueman would get out of their slump and that they had done their job in guiding the club away from relegation.[36] On 10 May 2021 however, the two managers had their management contracts terminated by the club, having finished the season with a run of just one point from a possible 21 that ended in a mid-table finish.[37] The two were offered alternative roles at the club,[38][39] who were hopeful that the duo would remain.[40] It was later announced that Trueman would stay with the club as a first-team link coach, although Sellars had yet to make a decision.[41][42] Sellars left Bradford City on 18 June 2021, after 7 years with the club.[43]

On 22 June 2021 Trueman was promoted to assistant manager at Bradford City,[44][45] following a conversation with new manager Derek Adams.[46] Player Callum Cooke said Trueman staying with the club was the right decision.[47]

After Adams was sacked as manager in February 2022,[48] Trueman was appointed caretaker manager,[49] his second time in the temporary role.[50] The appointment was supported by Cooke.[51] The club lost Trueman's first game in charge a 2–0 defeat away at Oldham Athletic.[52] He remained in charge for a second game, at home against Harrogate Town,[53] saying he would have to "think outside the box" due to player absences,[54] and that he wanted his players to be more aggressive.[55] Mark Hughes was appointed Bradford City's new manager on 24 February 2022,[56] with Trueman remaining as assistant manager alongside incoming Glyn Hodges.[57] Hughes stated that Trueman was a welcome presence in the backroom staff.[58]

After Hughes and his assistant Glyn Hodges were sacked on 4 October 2023, Trueman remained as assistant manager to caretaker manager Kevin McDonald.[59] On 31 October, Trueman replaced McDonald as caretaker manager.[60] He "promised a smooth transition",[61] and his first game was an FA Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers,[62] which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[63]

Personal life

Trueman is close friends with Pat McGuire[9] and Danny Forrest,[64] both of whom he has worked with.[65]

References

  1. ^ "Mark Trueman". Bradford City A.F.C. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Trueman and Sellars take permanent charge". Bradford City A.F.C. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Robertson, Gregor. "The joint managers ready to end Bradford's 'toxic' era of struggle" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Mark Trueman - Eccleshill United Football Club First Team". www.pitchero.com.
  5. ^ "Guiseley face another semi-final". Wharfedale Observer. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Tracey turns to experienced trio - The Pitching In Northern Premier League". www.thenpl.co.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Trueman on the Mark as Silsden leave it late yet again". Keighley News.
  8. ^ "Trio leave Silsden due to limited first-team action". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  9. ^ a b "Thackley boss glad to have Bantams coach and close pal back in midfield". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  10. ^ "FC Halifax Town: Trueman praises his history boys after title win". www.halifaxcourier.co.uk.
  11. ^ "TRUEMAN LAUDS GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRST TEAM". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Stuart McCall sacked by lowly Bradford City". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Time for McCall-less Bantams to step up, says temporary boss Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  14. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Fighting spirit in Crawley draw pleases caretaker boss Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  15. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Happier ending to Trueman show as Bantams stop the rot". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  16. ^ "Stand-in duo aiming to keep it simple for Bantams". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  17. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Trueman's delight as City get back to winning ways". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  18. ^ "SIMON PARKER'S VERDICT: Dynamic duo put Bantams back on firmer footing". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  19. ^ "Trueman and Sellars transforming Bradford City's mood". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  20. ^ "Bantams stand-in boss Trueman keen on step up to management". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  21. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Trueman happy to keep going after another win". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  22. ^ "Bantams in no need to hurry as Trueman stakes claim". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  23. ^ "Relaxed caretaker manager Mark Trueman pleased to have bought Bradford City more time". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  24. ^ "Bantams duo in charge 'until further notice'" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  25. ^ "Bradford City promote Trueman and Sellars to interim bosses". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  26. ^ "Bradford City: Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars will remain in interim charge until further notice". Sky Sports.
  27. ^ "Unplanned 'winter break' won't affect Bantams, says Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  28. ^ "Trueman pleased with busy window as Bantams secure Rowe | Bradford Telegraph and Argus". Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  29. ^ "Trueman praises Bantams for adapting to month without a game | Bradford Telegraph and Argus". Thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  30. ^ "Bradford City management duo remain comfortable with interim position". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  31. ^ "Team 'leaders' can inspire quick response from beaten Bantams, says Trueman". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  32. ^ "TRUEMAN AND SELLARS IN MANAGER OF MONTH NOMINATION". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  33. ^ ""It's as if they've been managing a first team for years"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  34. ^ "Bradford City name Trueman and Sellars as permanent joint managers". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  35. ^ "Bradford City management duo nominated for monthly award again". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  36. ^ ""Our aim was to avoid relegation and we did that really early on. Anything from that was a bonus"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  37. ^ "Bradford City axe Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars after just 78 days as permanent bosses". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  38. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: MARK TRUEMAN AND CONOR SELLARS". www.bradfordcityafc.com. 10 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Trueman and Sellars SACKED as City look to rebuild". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  40. ^ "Bradford City future of former managerial duo to be decided "in coming days"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  41. ^ "Trueman signs three-year deal to stay at Bradford City in new link role". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  42. ^ "Mark Trueman goes from Bradford City's main man to link man with new coaching role". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
  43. ^ "Sellars says farewell as he leaves City after seven years". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  44. ^ "TRUEMAN APPOINTED ASSISTANT MANAGER". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  45. ^ "Trueman back on show as City make him assistant manager". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  46. ^ "Adams: Why it was important to make Trueman part of my Bradford City team". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  47. ^ ""I want to be coached by people like that, who know the game and want to do the right things"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  48. ^ "Adams sacked by Bradford City after eight months in charge". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  49. ^ "Trueman can heal the Bradford City divide in latest caretaker role". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  50. ^ "Trueman learns from mistakes as he prepares for second crack at City hot-seat". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  51. ^ "Cooke backs Trueman to revive the enjoyment factor at City". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  52. ^ "BANTAMS REACTION: Confidence dips as Trueman second stint starts with poor defeat". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  53. ^ "Trueman remains at Bradford City helm as Evans watches on". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  54. ^ "Team news: Foulds back but City face defensive dilemma for Yorkshire derby". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  55. ^ "True grit needed as suffering Bantams kick off home run". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  56. ^ "MARK HUGHES UNVEILED AS NEW CITY MANAGER". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  57. ^ "Bradford City announce Hodges as new assistant manager". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  58. ^ "Hughes gives his views on Trueman's position at Bradford City". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  59. ^ "BANTAMS PART COMPANY WITH HUGHES". www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.
  60. ^ "City manager update: Trueman put in charge for FA Cup". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 31 October 2023.
  61. ^ "'The dynamic hasn't really changed': Trueman on change of City caretaker boss". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 2 November 2023.
  62. ^ "Trueman confident Bantams will be up for the cup as he eyes short-term boost". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 3 November 2023.
  63. ^ ""If they perform at that level, they will win more games than they lose"". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 4 November 2023.
  64. ^ "Former City prospect says criticism of best mate "hurt" ahead of his sacking". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  65. ^ "Silsden boss and close friend loving Trueman show at City so far". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
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