Cardiff City

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Cardiff City kept up their 100% record at the start of the defence of their Adran Premier title with victory over The New Saints on Sunday.

But ahead of next weekend's women’s south Wales derby, manager Iain Darbyshire said the Bluebirds can get better.

Cardiff saw off the Saints at Cardiff City Stadium thanks to second-half goals from Lisa Owen and Laura Curnock to make it three wins from three this season.

It was TNS’ first defeat of the season and leaves Cardiff behind newcomers Briton Ferry Llansawel at the top of the table on goal difference.

Swansea – who won at Wrexham – are two points behind going into the derby.

“I was happy with the three points,” Darbyshire told Cardiff’s website.

“Performance-wise I thought there’s still a lot of room to grow. Out of possession we were really good, but in possession we can be a lot better and we know that.

“Credit to TNS, they matched us up, caused us some problems at times, they’ve got some quality players and you can tell they’re a well-coached team, so it’s a game where we had to rely on moments and thankfully they came for us.

“It's a sign of a good team that you can win even when you're not playing great."

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Cardiff City’s defeat at Hull City means the club are enduring their worst ever start to a season – and it is also among the poorest openings in Championship history.

The 4-1 weekend disappointment means the Bluebirds have taken just one point from their opening seven games.

The miserable return – which includes only two goals scored and 17 conceded – is among the lowest since the second tier was rebranded as the Championship in 2004.

Over those 20 years, only Wycombe in 2020 and Peterborough in 2012 have picked up fewer points from their first seven games, with both sides eventually going down.

And while eight others in that timespan also picked up just one point, none had a goal difference as poor as the Bluebirds’ current tally of minus 15.

Cardiff’s next chance to turn things around under interim manager Omer Riza comes on Tuesday night against Millwall, but former captain Jason Perry had his concerns after watching the mauling at Hull, where greater ambition going forward was undermined by a leaky defence.

“I’m trying to find some positivity. In the first half Cardiff showed a bit more attacking intent, that’s the only positive,” Perry told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

“Defensively for 90 minutes they were poor, individually poor and collectively poor. Hull City are not a great team, Cardiff gifted Hull two goals in the second half.

“They must find a way of winning football games... another poor, poor afternoon.”

Cardiff, unsurprisingly, are bottom of the Championship table, three points adrift of 23rd-place Portsmouth and four shy of Coventry City, who are just outside the relegation zone.

But as the hunt continues for a new manager, there may be grounds for hope according to the history books.

Of those seven other sides who had recorded just one point by this stage, only three went down while one, Nottingham Forest, went on to finish fourth and win promotion via the play-offs after appointing Steve Cooper.

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Cardiff City interim boss Omer Riza says the club currently have too many players who are unable to complete 90 minutes.

Defender Will Fish and midfielder Callum O’Dowda both went off injured in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Hull City, midfielder Manolis Siopis was injured in training and Cardiff also have several long-term absentees including Wales captain Aaron Ramsey.

Riza admits the mounting queue for the physios room is compounding the problems at the club.

“We’ve got a good group of players, all honest and hard working but the issue we have at the moment is not being able to get all of the players through the game,” he told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

“We’ve had to make substitutions early, Will Fish with his hamstring, we’ve got other injuries, we’ve got other players coming back from injury who can’t get through 90 minutes, we’ve got players who at times have had injuries through their careers who we have to manage and look after.

“Will had a slight strain before the game we needed to manage and he felt a little tweak there, we will have to assess it.

“Callum O’Dowda has put in a big shift and we have to manage him as well.”

Riza is hopeful Siopis will return for Tuesday’s clash with Millwall, alongside Dimitrios Goutas who missed the Hull defeat due to a family issue that saw him return to Greece.

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Cardiff City interim boss Omer Riza says he expects to lead the Bluebirds for Tuesday’s Championship game against Millwall.

Cardiff are bottom of the division with a single point and were beaten 4-1 by Hull in Riza’s first game in interim charge after the sacking of Erol Bulut.

Riza says he will prepare for the game as if he is taking charge.

“We have to look forward now to Millwall on Tuesday, a really tough game.

“We have to kick on and improve. We’ve got to stop letting in goals and we’ve got to score more.

“I am taking it game by game. I would like to think I’m taking the game on Tuesday, but things can change quickly.”

Riza admits Cardiff’s form is a cause for concern.

“We need to start picking up results, we need to pick up points,” he added.

“The longer it goes on, the harder it becomes. We have to clean up the mistakes we are making.”

Luca Muzzupappa
BBC Sport Wales

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Former Cardiff City captain Jason Perry believes any prospective new manager must be “desperate” to consider taking charge of the Bluebirds.

Cardiff sacked Erol Bulut last Sunday with the club bottom of the Championship table, having picked up just one point and one goal from six games.

The Bluebirds are now searching for a fifth permanent manager in three years.

“There’s one of two [types of] people that take the job," Perry told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"If he’s experienced it means he’s desperate because he can’t get a job. The other one is a young manager that’s just desperate to get a chance.

“Cardiff City have a very bad board, there’s nobody on there with experience in terms of football.

“Who’s going to come in? I wouldn’t know because there’s no plan and no identity at Cardiff City. The chaos starts above the manager at board level.”

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones is one of the bookies' favourites to take the job at his hometown club.

“I think Nathan will stay where he is," said Perry.

"He would be a great fit, but he would look straight at the board and think ‘I can’t repeat what happened at Southampton'."

Southampton sacked Jones last year after just 95 days in charge, having lost eight of his nine Premier League games.

Despite all the negativity, Perry did say of Cardiff: “When you get it right there’s no better place to play, there’s no better place to be."

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Iwan Roberts believes it is unfair to criticise Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan over the sacking of manager Erol Bulut.

The Bluebirds axed Bulut last Sunday on the back of the club’s worst start to a season in 94 years.

The ex-Fenerbahce boss was shown the door only 111 days after he signed a new two-year contract with the Championship club.

Former City star Nathan Blake said the latest managerial change at Cardiff highlighted the failings of the club’s hierarchy, headed by Tan, while fellow ex-striker Robert Earnshaw believes his old club are in need of “a long-term strategy”.

Cardiff’s supporters’ trust, meanwhile, have asked for a meeting with the club.

But speaking on this week’s Feast of Football podcast, ex-Wales international Roberts pointed the finger at Bulut and his players.

“The owner Vincent Tan has taken quite a bit of stick from certain parts of the media, saying once again he hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing,” Roberts said.

“I don’t know what more he could have done in all honesty. A lot of Cardiff fans wanted Erol Bulut to start this season after they finished 12th last season.

“I was excited about the players they brought in, but it just hasn’t happened for them this season. He looked a broken man on Saturday [after defeat to Leeds].

“I think some of the players threw the towel in.”

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Roberts said he could not put forward one argument in favour of Bulut staying on after a miserable start to the 2024-25 campaign.

Bulut led Cardiff to mid-table last season, after the club's two years battling to avoid relegation, prompting Tan to sanction the former Turkey under-21 international’s new contract.

But Cardiff have taken only one point from their six league games so far this term – scoring just one goal in the process.

“Maybe the mistake the club made was giving him another contract,” Roberts added.

“Maybe at the end of last season they should have parted ways. If you look at the way they finished last season, they lost six of their last nine games. The writing was on the wall then.”

Cardiff are looking for a 12th permanent manager in 14 years under Tan, with coach Omer Riza in interim charge.

“It’s a fantastic job for someone,” Roberts said.

“Look at the training facilities they have, the stadium they play in… and I think the squad they have should be nowhere near the bottom of the Championship.”

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Forwards Yakou Meite and Callum Robinson are back in training and available for Cardiff City's Championship match at Hull City on Saturday.

Meite has missed the past two games with a muscular injury, while Robinson was absent against Leeds United last weekend with a groin problem.

Their returns are timely given Cardiff's shortcomings in attack so far this season, with just one goal - and one point - from six league games leaving them bottom of the Championship

“Yak’s been back in training this week, starting on Monday, and he’s looked strong, looked vibrant," interim manager Omer Riza said.

“Callum Robinson was training anyway, trained this week as well. He’s fit.”

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey and striker Kion Etete remain out with long-term injuries, while defender Joel Bagan will miss the trip to Hull because of a one-match suspension following his red card during the 2-0 defeat at home to Leeds.

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Cardiff City fans have been giving us their views over who should succeed Erol Bulut as manager following his departure.

The Bluebirds lie bottom of the Championship table with a point and one goal in six games to date.

Interim manager Omer Riza is in charge for Saturday’s game at Hull City with a stake of his own to claim, while Freyr Alexandersson of Belgian club KV Kortrijk has denied he is in the frame.

Here are some of the fans' thoughts on events at Cardiff City Stadium:

Mark: Another manager bites the dust. So many seem to come in, do well for a few months, then lose the plot. The club have been without the ability to buy players for a few years. As soon as they can buy again they drop like a lead balloon!

Gary Walpole: I’d give [Aaron] Ramsey the interim manager job, if he wants it. It would save us some money and he knows the players. He also knows the club and would be respected by management, players and fans.

Brian D: I have been following the Bluebirds since the Jimmy Scoular [who managed Cardiff from 1964–1973] days and throughout that time, never lost faith. This latest debacle is testing that faith. We have a decent squad, considering the constraints imposed. Now go for a young ambitious manager, with the board keeping out of how the team should be on the field of play

Andrew Lee: Need a young, progressive manager, or maybe try Aaron Ramsey as he is not going to play much. [Owner] Vincent Tan does interfere I think, but he has kept the club afloat for which I am grateful

Delwyn Tilke: Nathan Blake is so right. How about, Tan, [chief executive Ken] Choo or [chairman Mehmet] Dalman managing until the end of the season? They think they know better, prove it. Slightly less seriously, how about [former Wales manager] Robert Page? He may not be progressive, but is that what we need at the moment? Who would take this on, and the hierarchy?

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Robert Earnshaw says Cardiff City are in need of a “long-term strategy” as their latest manager search continues.

Cardiff are looking for a 12th permanent boss in 14 years after the sacking of Erol Bulut.

Nathan Blake says Bulut’s exit highlighted the failings of his old club’s hierarchy.

And fellow former Bluebirds striker Earnshaw feels the Welsh side must now get some key decisions right.

“I think the question is what does Cardiff City want to be now, because so far I think the decisions have not worked,” Earnshaw told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“Erol Bulut came last year, but this summer there were quite a few weeks of do we give him the [new] contract, do we not? In the end he was given the contract late and, three or four months later, he is gone.

“These are key decisions for a football club. What you do need is a long-term strategy, not short term.

“You need to not just patch it up for three or four months, you need to look at the next two or three years.

“Also, what type of football do you want? For me Cardiff City deserves more. I think it deserves excitement when the fans pay to come and see Cardiff City.”

Omer Riza is in interim charge following Bulut’s exit.

He will be at the helm for Saturday’s Championship game at Hull City, when Cardiff will look to claim a first league victory of the season at the seventh attempt.

Earnshaw says ex-Watford coach Riza has the chance to make the job his own.

“He is going to show if Cardiff City can do any better under him,” Earnshaw added.

“I am sure he will be wanting it and he will be in the running.

“There are good contenders, good coaches with experience in the Championship. But I think this is a real key time now for Cardiff City.”

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Since Vincent Tan took ownership of Cardiff City in May 2010, you would be forgiven for not remembering all the managers who have come and gone.

Twelve have been sacked and 11 hired in those 14 years, with Erol Bulut being the latest to go.

The upheaval has certainly thrown up some interesting stats and facts:

• The average time a manager has spent in charge is 14 months (434 days)

• Since Neil Warnock (pictured above left) departed in November 2019, the average time is just 10 months (289 days)

• Six of the past 12 managers were sacked in under a year

• Only four managers left the club in a better position than when they started – Malky Mackay (above right), Russell Slade, Neil Warnock and Steve Morison

• Six managers left Cardiff in a worse position than when they started – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (above centre), Paul Trollope, Neil Harris, Mick McCarthy, Mark Hudson and Erol Bulut

• Only four of the 11 managers hired by Tan managed a full season from start to finish

What will the future hold for number 12?

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In the wake of Erol Bulut's sacking, Cardiff City Supporters' Trust board member Philip Nifield says the club is going from "one crisis to another".

Bulut was dismissed after the 2-0 home defeat by Leeds, leaving Cardiff looking for their 12th permanent manager in the 14 years that Vincent Tan has owned the club.

Nifield said it was the right decision and questioned the Turk's decision-making.

"I certainly think he had to be sacked, he presided over the worst start in almost a century.

"One goal, one point in six games and those results came on the back of a dismal end to last season.

"He persisted also with a negative defensive formation, particularly at home, with two holding midfielders. I didn’t work, but he continued doing the same.

"Some of his selections also baffles supporters, leaving out for some games Rubin Colwill who is probably our most creative player, not playing the new recruit Alex Roberston in midfield."

But Nifield says Cardiff's "managerial upheaval" is ultimately down to a lack of direction and strategy for running the club.

"We must be one of the few clubs who are not having a director of football or some similar decision maker at board level," he said.

"Unfortunately the owner doesn’t want to go down that road and in the end that has cost him a lot of money.

"We hope the owner now will finally get the message that doing the same thing, as he has done over the last few years, results in the same thing, which is having to change managers so often."

The Trust has requested an urgent meeting with the board.

"I’m sure the board members would listen to what we have to say and indeed what other fans have to say," added Nifield

"But everything in the end is down to Vincent Tan, whatever the board members say, it all reverts back to Vincent Tan.

"He is the person who decides everything at the club and we really need him to take a different way forward."

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Champions Cardiff City continued their winning start to the new Adran Premier season after coming from behind against Cardiff Met to make it two from two.

The Bluebirds fell behind to a goal from India Shanahan, but responded via Fiona Barry and two from Ffion Price to follow up on last weekend’s opening day win at Wrexham.

Cardiff face The New Saints next week, currently leading the Welsh women’s top-flight after two wins where they’ve scored 11 goals having turned semi-pro over the summer.

But manager Iain Derbyshire told Cardiff’s website he is happy with the progress of their side as they bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Dutch side Twente.

“I thought we started a little bit slow, which is something we need to get a little better at,” said Derbyshire.

“Once we settled down, I was really happy with our build-up play, the patterns of play and our creativity. I think that’s some of the best football I’ve seen us play which is so pleasing to see and overall we’re happy with the three points.”

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Erol Bulut has paid tribute to Cardiff City staff and supporters, a day after his sacking as manager of the Championship club.

Bulut, 49, was dismissed after overseeing the Bluebirds worst start to a season in 94 years, picking up just one point from six league games and scoring just one goal.

“I'd like to thank everyone at Cardiff City FC for the wonderful time I've had here,” Bulut posted in an open letter on Instagram.

“Thanks to all the staff who have made me feel at home at the club. I specially would like to thank Mr Mehmet Dalman and Mr Ken Choo for their support and trust throughout this journey”.

“But most of all, I would like to take a moment to thank the incredible Cardiff City fans for their support both last season and this season.

“We have achieved so much together, defying expectations and showing the heart, grit and passion that define this club. From the first kick to the final whistle, your energy in the stands and your belief in the team has driven us forward.

“But as we all know, football can be unpredictable. It's a sport full of ups and downs, and sometimes, despite our best efforts, we have to face the harsh realities that come with the game we love. This chapter may be closing, but the memories we've made will stay with me forever.

“Thank you for every chant, every cheer and every moment of faith. I will always cherish my time here and be forever grateful for your incredible support.

“Cardiff will always have a special place in my heart.

Erol Bulut”.

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Cardiff City fans are seeking an urgent meeting with the club hierarchy following the sacking of Erol Bulut.

The Cardiff City Supporters' Trust are asking to meet the top brass, citing the “uncertainty” at the club.

The Bluebirds dismissed Bulut and assistant Nikolaos Karydas on Sunday in the wake of a 2-0 home defeat by Leeds United.

The result left Cardiff winless at the foot of the Championship with just one goal and one point from six games, their worst league start for 94 years.

Trust chairman Keith Morgan said: “There is once again uncertainty about the future direction of the club and there are many questions fans have.

“Therefore, the Trust feels it important to seek an urgent meeting with club board members to discuss how the club moves forward.”

The club say Omer Riza, a summer addition to the coaching staff, will takeover as interim manager, while chief executive Ken Choo leads the search for Cardiff’s 12th permanent boss in 14 years of owner Vincent Tan’s tenure.

After their worst start in 94 years - and with just one point and one goal to their name - Erol Bulut has become the latest Cardiff City manager to get his marching orders.

And so the club now turn their attention to finding the next man to take up the challenge at Cardiff City Stadium, becoming the fifth boss in just the last three years.

The club are thought to have made some early inroads into identifying possible candidates, while first-team coach Omer Riza takes interim charge ahead of the weekend's game at Hull City.

And the bookmakers have already mentioned some interesting names to succeed Bulut on a full-time basis.

But who do you want to see come in to lead Cardiff off the bottom of the table?

And who do you think will be holding a scarf above his head after getting the nod from owner Vincent Tan?

Tell us your views by having your say here, external.