Bradford City: New German owners want to 'respect' traditions of League One side

Bradford City finished fifth in League One but lost to Millwall in the play-off semi-finals

Bradford City's new owners Stefan Rupp and Edin Rahic have said they do not plan to change the club's structure.

Rahic will take on the dual role of chairman and chief executive and will be based permanently in Bradford.

Rupp will stay in Germany, while chief operating officer James Mason will remain at the club.

"We have seen the way the club and fans interact and the model of affordable football is very important to us," Rahic said in a statement.

"We are looking forward to working with everyone associated with the club and respect its traditions.

"We do not have plans to make big changes but to work with the existing structure."

The pair met with manager Phil Parkinson on Tuesday for an "encouraging" discussion about the future after Bradford's League One play-off semi-final loss to Millwall.

Previous chairmen Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes will now step away from the club after a tenure that saw the Bantams promoted to League One and make the Capital One Cup final.

"It's a testimony to how we have developed over recent years under the stewardship of both Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn that the club is an attractive business proposition," added Mason.

"Our aim is to continue to grow the fan base and develop the club commercially to support Phil and the players."