Mark Trueman

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]

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