Leeds United sent Paudie O’Connor to Bradford City in January.
Bradford City’s fight against relegation from League One has taken another turn today as manager David Hopkin resigned from the job.
The Bantams sit second bottom of League One after Saturday’s defeat to Walsall, two points adrift of safety with 12 games left to play.
Despite only being appointed as Bradford boss in September, Hopkin has now left the post, suggesting that his love for the club means it’s right to step aside and let somebody else attempt to keep them up.
Bradford need to turn results around quickly, and Hopkin’s exit may well have a real impact on Leeds United defender Paudie O’Connor.
After ending his Blackpool loan spell, the 21-year-old Irishman moved on to Bradford in January, with Leeds doing something of a favour to their former midfielder Hopkin.
However, he played just twice under Hopkin and hasn’t featured for nearly a month now, with Hopkin telling the Telegraph and Argus that he was being left out for other loan players due to matchday restrictions.
O’Connor’s loan could now go one of two ways; a new manager may decide that O’Connor is worth playing over other loan players at the club, giving him the first-team football he needs.
There is though a risk that a new manager won’t take to O’Connor as he won’t be the new manager’s signing, he’s still a player Hopkin brought in – and didn’t even use himself.
Leeds will be hoping it’s the former, with O’Connor facing something of an uncertain end to the season after Hopkin’s exit; it really could go one way or the other.
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