Emmanuel Osadebe, who recently scored a crucial goal for Bradford City, is firmly in support of caretaker manager Kevin McDonald and believes he should be given the full-time role. Bradford City is taking their time selecting a replacement for Mark Hughes, and McDonald’s impressive three-match winning streak during his temporary tenure is certainly making a strong case for him.
Osadebe, who netted the winning goals in the last two matches, had a rather eventful week, considering his injury-plagued Bradford career since joining in the summer of 2022. He has started only two league games so far, but his composed finish as a substitute at Wimbledon has made a compelling argument for more playing time.
Osadebe’s performance has also bolstered McDonald’s claim for the managerial position, although McDonald initially took the job to focus on his playing career temporarily and is now evading the question of permanency.
In Osadebe’s view, if the players were to decide, McDonald would be handed the job immediately. He praised McDonald for his youth, innovative ideas, and the team’s commitment to implementing his strategies, such as high pressing, creative play, exciting football, and ball possession dominance, all of which have yielded positive results.
Osadebe described McDonald as an honest and demanding coach who upholds high standards, a philosophy that resonates with the entire team. He stressed that they share a collective identity and know their role – pressing aggressively, winning possession, creating opportunities, and scoring goals.
The players and staff form a cohesive unit, and they understand that they must perform at their best due to the high standards and intense competition within the team. Regardless of whether McDonald secures the full-time managerial role, the players are fully behind him and are motivated to meet the demands placed on them.
“That’s what Manny brings to the team. When you get him at it and get him flying, he brings a different dimension to what we’ve got."#bcafc reaction@sturayner reportshttps://t.co/Lkoviopzua
— Yorkshire Post Sport (@YPSport) October 14, 2023
During their recent game, Bradford City struggled to create opportunities until Osadebe’s pivotal goal. When asked about the instructions he received upon entering the match, Osadebe mentioned bringing energy to the team, particularly as they had been somewhat lackluster in the first half. He acknowledged that McDonald had asked him to adapt to a wide position, despite his preference for playing in the middle.
Osadebe also highlighted McDonald’s coaching approach, emphasizing that they work on various tactical ideas and aren’t limited to a single playing style, especially when things aren’t going as planned. This flexibility in their approach is something McDonald has introduced.
Before the game, Osadebe learned that Bradford’s appeal against his midweek red card had been unsuccessful, but he noted that the three-match suspension only applied to the Football League Trophy, giving him a chance to make the most of his available playing time.