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]
