Cardiff City

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Former boss Mark Hudson has praised Erol Bulut for his performance as Cardiff City manager, as speculation continues over his future.

Bulut is out of contract at the end of the season and says his future is in the hands of the club's directors, while talks continue.

Hudson, who was Bulut's immediate predecessor as Bluebirds boss for most of last season, has been speaking on Elis James' Feast of Football podcast.

"I think he's done well. I follow the results because I've been there as a player, been there as coach, been there as a manager," said Hudson.

"They've had blips in the season and form dips. But look at the game the other day [against Southampton], it was unbelievable. A bench full of youth players. Cian Ashford started.

"Good recruitment in terms of the two centre-halves. They played really well together as partnership. Manolis Siopis has come in and done really well.

"But he's managed those individuals, and even if they've took away a lot of the senior players, he's got them to perform, got results."

Hudson spent five years as a Cardiff City player and was made captain under manager Dave Jones, and says he is keen to see the Bluebirds succeed.

"Could results be slightly better in parts of the season?" added Hudson.

"I think he (Bulut) looks confident in the way he delivers a team. The team have responded to him. You can see that with results.

"He's been very clear what he wants from the players. He's done really well, but again it'll be exciting for the supporters to see the academy prospects coming through.

"Whether they can play regularly and sustain good enough form to be successful in terms of promotional or play-offs next season, I'm not sure. But proof will be in the pudding".

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Erol Bulut has overseen a big improvement at Cardiff City during his first campaign in charge - but will he be there next season?

Bulut has said he wants to stay but, with his contract expiring at the end of this season, Cardiff have not yet started talks about a new deal.

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Erol Bulut’s future as Cardiff City manager is still no clearer after months of speculation and with only two games left in the Championship season.

In his first campaign in charge, the former Fenerbahce boss has guided Cardiff to 11th place in the table – a far cry from their successive battles to avoid relegation in the previous two seasons.

Bulut’s contract expires at the end of this term and, although he has repeatedly and publicly declared his desire to stay, Cardiff have not started negotiations about a new deal.

That has come as a surprise to many Bluebirds fans as well as neutral observers such as Ryan Dilks, who hosts the Second Tier podcast, which is dedicated to the Championship.

“I think it’s absolutely mad that he’s not been given a new contract,” Dilks told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“Many Cardiff fans will probably remember that I was quite down on their chances this season.

“I thought they might have a genuine chance of going down because Cardiff are a club who’ve been going in the wrong direction for quite a while now with an owner [Vincent Tan] who has varying degrees of interest in the club.

“For him [Bulut] to get them into a top-half place, as things stand, is a ridiculous achievement. So if he weren’t to get a new contract that would be a massive shame.”

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Wales Under-21 striker Cian Ashford says he always used to dream of scoring a winner like Saturday's dramatic goal against Southampton.

Cardiff beat the Saints 2-1 thanks to Ashford’s stoppage-time winner, delivering a hammer blow to Southampton’s automatic promotion bid in the process.

Ashford, 19, says it was "special" to score his first senior goal for the club he supported as a boy but did not know how to celebrate as family and friends watched on.

"Quite a lot of friends and family were watching so there was a bit of pressure on, but I’ve given them a goal," Ashford told Cardiff City TV.

"I didn't know how to celebrate! I've never had a feeling like that. All the fans going crazy...it's what I dreamed of.

"Since I was about five or six, I used to come and watch Cardiff.

"To score in front of the Canton End is something I've only ever dreamed of. Coming into the game, I was just happy to play."

The goal came just 10 days after Ashford - from the Rhondda - made his Championship debut, in a 1-0 win at Birmingham.

That led team-mate Jamilu Collins to describe Ashford as "the future for Cardiff."

City have high hopes for the teenager who has been at the club since joining the academy at the age of six.

He has represented Wales at age group levels, including scoring twice in the current under-21 European qualifying campaign.

In January he put pen to paper on a new club deal which will keep him at Cardiff until June 2027.

Manager Erol Bulut had promised he would look to give his Bluebird youngsters a chance towards the end of the season with Cardiff out of play-off contention.

And Ashford's winner against Southampton was delivered by two academy players linking up, debutant Luey Giles providing the assist.

Raheem Conte also made his debut at right-back in the second half.

Bulut was pleased with their contributions as Cardiff clinched their first home win since early March.

"Sometimes in life, when you get a chance, you have to use it well...and they used it well [against Southampton]," Bulut said.

"I hope they can add to that. I hope they have a good future here."

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Southampton boss Russell Martin says he “was not bothered” and “won’t take it personally” after home groundstaff appeared to turn the sprinklers on him before Saturday’s Championship match at Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds secured a first win over a Martin side in six attempts as they came from behind to beat the Saints 2-1 thanks to Cian Ashford’s stoppage-time winner, delivering a hammer blow to Southampton’s automatic promotion bid in the process.

Before the game Martin went over to clap Southampton’s fans - and was sprayed by sprinklers.

After fist-bumping a couple of Cardiff ground-staff, Martin attempted to leave the pitch but was then again in the line of a sprinkler which came on as he went past (and seemed deliberately timed).

The home fans enjoyed the moment and Martin said he understood the ice-cold reception he got as a former Swansea boss who won all four of his south Wales derbies against Cardiff.

"It doesn't really bother me. Obviously I'm not really well liked here," he said.

"They had a good moment at the end. I've had plenty of good moments here, so it's all fine.

"What other way is there [to react]? None of them know me personally, I don't know any of them in the crowd personally, so it would be madness to take it personally.

"They've had their day today, I've had two brilliant days here previously, not today. I'm sure every time I come back here I will get the same treatment."

The ex-Swansea boss – who is being sued by his former club for breach of contract – even found time to praise a Cardiff player.

“I thought Rubin Colwill was really outstanding for them today," he added.

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Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut remained tight-lipped on his future after the Bluebirds' 2-1 win over Southampton.

Fans sang in support of Bulut, whose contract expires in the summer, and chanted they wanted him to stay at the club.

Bulut says he appreciates the support but reiterated that a decision on his future will come first and foremost from Cardiff's owners.

Asked about fans chanting for him to stay, Bulut said: “Of course, if you have support from the fans, from the board and everything is really positive here.

"I don't want to speak too much about this situation, it's up to the board either way. I appreciate this.

"The board, I think, they have opinions and thinking for the future of the club. I think they will make the right decision for the club.

"For my side, I hope to make the right decision for myself and my future."

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Manager Erol Bulut insists Cardiff City will not be lacking motivation when they host Championship promotion contenders Southampton on Saturday.

Saints, who are guaranteed at least a play-off spot, are four points adrift of the automatic promotion places with four matches left.

Cardiff, who are 11th, have nothing to play for with neither the play-offs nor relegation a possibility with three games remaining.

"For us of course there will be good motivation to play against Southampton," said Bulut.

"They are one of the teams in the play-offs pushing to maybe get promoted automatically to the Premier League.

"Of course they will be coming here to get points and we have less of a squad [because of injuries], but we will try to make it difficult for them and get points for ourselves."

Southampton boss Russell Martin can expect a frosty welcome at Cardiff City Stadium as a former Swansea City head coach.

He became the first Swans boss to win both league encounters with Cardiff in one season, and he managed the feat twice.

Martin also oversaw a 2-0 win for Southampton over Cardiff earlier in this campaign.

"About Swansea, I don't know. I wasn't here," said Bulut.

"We played once against each other but we have to see the squad he has, the budget he has, and what we have."

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Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath hopes his performances for Cardiff City this season will help earn him a place in the United States' squad for the Copa America.

Horvath, 28, joined the Bluebirds from Nottingham Forest in February and has made 13 appearances since moving to south Wales.

He also has nine international caps to his name and will be aiming to add to that tally when the USA host the Copa America in June.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Horvath.

"It's going to be a very busy summer. We have two friendlies before the actual tournament.

"My first call-up was 2016 and it was actually the 50th anniversary of the Copa America, so to go back to that will be really nice.

"In the semi-finals we played Argentina. It was sold out, 80,000 in the stadium, [Lionel] Messi and all the likes of them. It was unbelievable.

"They breathe eat, sleep, football over there so it’s a massive tournament."

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Erol Bulut's future as Cardiff City manager remains unclear - and he does not want to discuss speculation linking him with the vacancy at Turkish giants Besiktas.

Reports in Turkey suggest Bulut could be in contention to succeed former Portugal boss Fernando Santos, who was sacked by Besiktas.

Bulut's contract at Cardiff expires at the end of this season - of which there are only three games left - and talks about a new deal have not begun.

Bulut has managed in Istanbul before, but for one of Besiktas' great rivals, Fenerbahce.

"I don't want to speak about these messages," he said when asked about reports linking him to the Besiktas job.

"I read many things. But I don't want to give any message to any news. I am focused on the club here, Cardiff City, and what comes after that we will see."

Bulut has said on several occasions that he would like to extend his stay at Cardiff, but remains without an offer of a new deal.

"We don't need to speak about my contract," he said.

"This is up to the board, they have to decide about this. I have three more games to play with Cardiff City and I will try with my guys to do the best job."

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Cardiff City are set to be without midfielder Aaron Ramsey for their final three games of the season.

Injuries have limited the Wales captain to just 13 appearances since his return to his boyhood club last summer.

Ramsey has managed only one start since returning from a calf injury in March, and the 33-year-old is now facing another spell out of action.

"He had a grade two strain which means three weeks minimum, which means the season is finished for him," said manager Erol Bulut.

"A long time he has been away. For a long time, many of our main players have not been with us. This breaks our neck this season.

"We are in a good run then we get injuries. It's not easy to replace them."

Wales face Slovakia in a friendly on 9 June but Bulut would rather Ramsey did not play.

"I think for him, we have to be honest, he had an injury, he came back and got another injury and now he needs to get fit," the former Fenerbahce boss added.

"I think he needs to prepare himself for the new season and not think about the national team, whether he will play or not.

"Health is most important for a football player, so he needs to focus on getting fit and starting the new season well with Cardiff City."

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales

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Uncertainty over Erol Bulut's Cardiff City future is showing no sign of coming to an end – but it seems speculation over the Bluebirds boss is only just beginning.

With no news on whether Bulut will be offered a new deal at Cardiff, he has been linked with another job for the first time this spring.

While the debate continues in Wales over the extent of Cardiff's progress under the former Turkey Under-21 international, Bulut is being touted as a contender to take charge at one of the biggest clubs in his homeland.

Besiktas are searching for a new manager after former Portugal boss Fernando Santos was axed at the tail end of a disappointing Super Lig campaign and Bulut – previously Fenerbahce manager - has been linked with the job.

Image source, Getty Images

“Club president Hasan Arat said the new coach could be Turkish or foreign – he said it is a very important choice and added that they will not rush,” Samet Cayir of Turkish sports publication Fanatik explained to BBC Sport Wales.

“And Erol Bulut is among the options for Besiktas. However, I don't think there is much chance of this union.

“One, because Bulut worked at Fenerbahce in the past and the team did not become champions. Also, Erol Bulut is not a high-tempo and offensive coach.

“Santos' playing philosophy was deemed too defensive and the Portuguese coach was criticised a lot.

“Besiktas fans want a more offensive coach like [former manager] Şenol Guneş. The club will take this into consideration. That's why Erol Bulut is difficult.

“His time at Cardiff is being followed in Turkey and some people think he is in a really good moment, but at the moment he is not a preferred coach for the big clubs here.”

So for Bulut, a return to Istanbul – at least the black and white quarter of the city – seems unlikely.

But given that Bulut has guided Cardiff into mid-table after relegation concerns in recent seasons, this is unlikely to be the last time he is linked with a job elsewhere.

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Whether there is substance to those links that will inevitably come, only a few will know for sure.

Bulut says he has held positive talks with chairman Mehmet Dalman but it is owner Vincent Tan who will have the final say on his future.

There have been calls from fans at games for Bulut to remain at Cardiff, while he has suggested he would be keen to extend his contract.

However, Bulut stated last week there are no plans for further talks with owner Tan before the final game of the season, at Rotherham United next month.

In the meantime, there could be further links with jobs near and far that will only add to the feeling of uncertainty around the Bluebirds, with plans for next season understandably on hold.

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Wales striker Mark Harris could be facing former club Cardiff City next year – if he keeps up his prolific form.

Harris, 25, spent six years with the Bluebirds before leaving on a free last summer.

He was snapped up by League One Oxford, with the five-cap international playing a major role in their push for promotion.

The U’s are in the final play-off spot before Tuesday night’s game with top-six hopefuls Lincoln, with Harris having scored five goals in his last three games.

The Swansea-born forward – who has also had loan spells at Welsh clubs Wrexham and Newport – made 95 appearances for Cardiff after turning pro in 2017.

He struggled to hold down a starting spot and, despite former manager Sabri Lamouchi suggesting he wanted to keep the lively frontman, he departed at the end of his deal.

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He had already hit 13 goals for Oxford before his recent run for the side also containing former Cardiff defender Ciaron Brown and another ex-Bluebird, Josh Murphy.

But he has discovered a purple patch of form at just the right time with two goals in each of the 4-0 wins over Fleetwood and Burton and the opener in last Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of fourth-placed Peterborough. Murphy and former Wales Under-21 international Billy Bodin were also on the scoresheet.

Harris, who travelled to Qatar as part of Robert Page’s Wales squad for the 2022 World Cup, could yet be lining up against the Bluebirds next season if Oxford can carry on their form into the play-offs and secure second-tier football for the first time since 1999.

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Cardiff City could be without new defender Ryotaro Tsunoda for the start of the 2024-25 season after the defender underwent surgery.

The Japanese centre-back signed for the Bluebirds in the January transfer window before immediately joining Belgian side KV Kortrijk on loan.

Tsunoda, 24, impressed in nine appearances for the Pro League team, but suffered a hamstring injury during their 1-0 win over defending champions Anderlecht last month.

The club confirmed, external the former Yokohama Marinos player had required an operation for the problem, saying the procedure was similar to the one that kept Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne sidelined for four months.

It means the Under-20 international faces a race to try and return fit for Cardiff in time to kick-off the new Championship season.

Tsunoda had been part of the Marinos side that qualified for the knock-out stages of the AFC Champions League and was called into the Japan squad earlier in the season only to miss out on a cap through injury.

This latest setback prematurely ends Tsunoda’s time at Kortrijk who are currently in the middle of a relegation play-off campaign to try and preserve their top tier status.

The club have close ties to Cardiff having previously been owned by Cardiff backer Vincent Tan and also have striker Isaak Davies on loan.

Davies had described Tsunoda’s displays as brilliant, although has been in eye-catching form himself having scored three goals in his past three games. The former Wales Under-21 international now has 10 for the season with three games remaining.

The 22-year-old is set to return to south Wales at the end of the Belgian season, telling BBC Radio Wales Sport earlier this term the move was "the best thing I could have done".

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Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut says striker Callum Robinson and defender Mahlon Romeo will return to the squad for the game against Southampton on Saturday.

The duo missed the games against Birmingham City and Millwall after being disciplined by the club for an "internal" issue.

Bulut had suggested Romeo would be involved against his former club Millwall, but opted against it after the full back suffered "problems" at the Den in the past.

Romeo joined the Bluebirds from Millwall in 2022, and was targeted by home fans when he returned there a few months later.

Bulut added he'd have a "small talk" with Robinson, who's made 22 Championship appearances in this campaign, scoring one goal.

Since the turn of the year, injuries have restricted him to a cup start at Sheffield Wednesday and a substitute appearance in the league against Sunderland.