The embattled Bradford City joint-chairman Edin Rahic wants to leave the club, Telegraph Sport understands.

Rahic, 45, owns 22 per cent of the club he bought for £5 million in partnership with Stefan Rupp in 2016, and the team is currently bottom of League One with the worst record of any club in the four professional divisions over this calendar year.

Sources close to the club claim Rahic is set to begin negotiations with Rupp about selling his shares in the club and returning with his wife and children to his native Germany or Holland, where he previously worked. In September, he issued an apology to supporters for the club's plight. "I feel responsible and accept I am open and perhaps deserving of some of the criticism which has come my way," he wrote in a statement sent to the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

Rahic and Rupp are on their fifth head coach in 12 months, having sacked one of the club’s greatest names, Stuart McCall, in February with the team inside the top six.

The Rahic era has also seen the departure of Simon Grayson, caretaker manager Greg Abbott and youth team coach Michael Collins, who did not even apply for the job. The former Livingston boss David Hopkin is currently in charge, but unrest behind the scenes has seen significant staff turnover throughout the club.

Bradford co-owner Edin Rahic (right) is keen to leave the club and sell his shares credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire

While Rupp rarely attends games, Rahic, who claims to have played for Yugoslavia Under-16s before injuries ended his career, has become a divisive figure, having taken an increasingly hands-on role in footballing affairs. He has been under increasing pressure from fans to leave the club in recent months, having presided over Bradford’s worst-ever start to a league season in their 115-year history.

The Telegraph understands that Rahic wants to leave, but the terms of his exit are complex. A source close to the club said: "It's a matter of when and not if Edin goes, but the situation is complicated by the shareholders' agreement and Rahic’s employment contract."

David Hopkin is Bradford's fifth manager in 12 months credit: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Rupp is understood to be committed to Bradford long-term, and it is unlikely Rahic's departure will result in a full sale to a new owner.

Rahic is still listed on Companies House as a director of Bradford City. He had previously arranged for a group of 17 German investors to attend Bradford’s League One game against Oxford on Saturday, but was not there to host them.

Rahic is understood to be in Germany or Holland this week, but his wife, who works as club secretary, has been seen at the club in recent days. A club spokesman said Rahic remains in charge at Valley Parade. Rahic declined to comment when the Telegraph contacted the club.