What Is the Big Deal About Graham Alexander and Chris Lucketti Signing New Bradford City Contracts?

Imagine your favourite football team is doing really well. The players seem happy, they're winning games, and there's a real buzz around the stadium. A huge part of that is down to the people in charge – the manager and their assistant.

So, when news breaks that they're sticking around for the long haul, it’s a pretty big moment. That's exactly what's happening at Bradford City, as manager Graham Alexander and his right-hand man, Chris Lucketti, have just signed new three-year contracts. This means the duo who brought so much success last season are staying put until the summer of 2028, and that’s fantastic news for everyone involved with the club.

Staying put at Valley Parade

It’s official. The leadership team of Graham Alexander and Chris Lucketti are committed to Bradford City for the foreseeable future. By signing new three-year contracts, they’ve sent a clear message that they believe in the club's long-term project. For fans, this brings a feeling of stability. There’s no wondering about who might be in the dugout next season; the successful partnership is locked in. This isn't just about one good season, it's about building something special over time.

The deal keeps both the manager and his trusted assistant at the University of Bradford Stadium, or as fans know and love it, Valley Parade, right through to 2028. This long-term commitment is a massive vote of confidence from both sides, showing that the manager and the club are on the same page about the journey ahead. The entire city is delighted with this news, knowing the team is in safe hands.

A record-breaking duo

So, why all the excitement? Well, let's look at the facts. Graham **Alexander** took over in November 2023 and has had a massive impact. It’s not every day a manager comes in and steers a club to its first automatic promotion in 26 years. That alone is something to shout about. But it gets better. His leadership has been so impressive that he was named the Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Season. Think of that as the top prize for being the best boss in the entire league for a whole year. He and his assistant, Chris Lucketti, have formed a formidable team. Their stats are pretty incredible when you break them down.

• Points per game: Alexander has a 1.69 points-per-game record. In football, you get three points for a win and one for a draw. This means, on average, they're getting almost two points from every single match, which is the third-best record for any permanent manager in the club’s history.
• Winning ways: His win percentage is 49.5%. That's just a whisker away from winning one in every two games. It’s a remarkable record that shows just how effective his leadership has been.
• Fortress Valley Parade: Together, Alexander and Lucketti set a new club record for the most consecutive home league wins, with a brilliant 10 in a row. They turned Valley Parade into a place away teams dreaded visiting.

This isn't just a flash in the pan. This is consistent success that has put Bradford City back on the map and into the Sky Bet League One. The challenge now is to build on that success in a tougher league.

The manager on the future

When asked about his new contract, Graham Alexander was clearly over the moon. He spoke about his time at the club and the bigger picture beyond just winning matches. He said: “I am really happy. I have had a brilliant time here in the last 20 months. The success on the pitch tells only half of the story of what we came here for and what we have achieved as a club.

Everyone aspires to play in front of thousands of people and in big games, and we have that opportunity here every week. You have to start placing the building blocks from day one; what happened at the end of the season was a culmination of a process. I had no doubt I wanted to extend my stay. What we have done already and what we can do, I feel there is serious potential here to grow and succeed again.” It's clear the manager sees this as more than just a job. He talks about building blocks, suggesting a careful, planned approach to success. It’s this vision for the future that makes his extended stay so exciting for the city.

The assistant's view on the next challenge

An assistant manager is a key part of any successful team, and Chris Lucketti is no exception. He echoed his boss's excitement and highlighted the next big challenge facing the club. Lucketti added: “I am delighted to be a part of the future, we played a big part last season in taking the club to the next level and our challenge is now to keep that momentum going.

We have loved every minute since we have come in, it has been a test, but one we have really enjoyed, turning this football club back around and on the way to where it should be. I am excited about next season, there are some great games to look forward to. The fixtures are out and I cannot wait for it to start on Saturday, there are plenty of mouthwatering fixtures and I am sure Valley Parade will be packed regularly.” His words point to a team that relishes a test. Moving up a league is a big step, but Lucketti and the team are ready to kick on. He’s already thinking about the upcoming season's fixtures and the atmosphere of a packed stadium, which is exactly what the fans want to hear.

The view from the top

It's not just the management duo who are pleased. The club's chief executive officer, Ryan Sparks, was quick to praise them and share his delight over the new contracts. He spoke about their character and how well they fit in at Bradford. Sparks said: "We are thrilled to have secured Graham and Chris' services for the next part of our journey. Their new contracts are richly deserved and our challenge now is to kick on, together, and work towards achieving new heights.

Graham and Chris are great people and carry our culture and values with dignity and pride. We have had a fantastic relationship since the very beginning, and have already made some great memories with hopefully more to come. Our full focus is now on next season, which gets underway this Saturday in front of a packed house at Valley Parade, and we are very much looking forward to what we can achieve in the next nine months and beyond." Hearing the chief executive talk about culture, dignity, and pride shows that this is about more than just football. It’s about building a club that the entire community can be proud of. He is delighted to have secured the duo for the next stage of the journey, highlighting the great memories already made and the ambition to reach new heights. With the new Sky Bet league season upon us, the focus is squarely on the future.