Cardiff City

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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.

Rob Phillips
BBC Wales Football Correspondent

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And so history repeats itself at Cardiff City.

As was suggested in these columns last week this is a perilous time of year for Bluebirds bosses in the era of Vincent Tan.

Yet the departure of Erol Bulut was probably inevitable given Saturday's desperately poor 2-0 Championship home defeat to Leeds United – the final act under the former Fenerbahce boss, contributing to the worst start to a league season in 94 years.

After the Leeds reverse Bulut actually said he was not worried about losing his job. Maybe he knew the game was up.

On Sunday, chairman Mehmet Dalman – a key figure in the original appointment of Bulut last summer – had the task of telling the former Turkey under-21 boss his time in charge was at an end 111 days after agreeing a new two year contract.

Undoubtedly Bulut improved matters last season. But the protracted negotiations over a new deal suggested Tan had his reservations about his re-appointment.

So that made a good start even more imperative for Bulut this season. One point with just one goal scored in six Championship games ensured Tan’s patience was tested beyond breaking point.

Thankfully the parting of the ways was delayed until the day after the commemoration of the late former Cardiff and Leeds favourite Sol Bamba.

It’s fair to say Bulut’s achievement last season in lifting the club to a palatable mid-table position and what looked like a promising summer transfer window had raised optimism among some of the Cardiff faithful, many of whom had been critical of the perception that the club had dragged their heels in contract negotiations.

There had always been some qualms and complaints over Bulut’s largely defensive set-up. Cardiff, rightly or wrongly, are traditionally seen as having an 'in-your-face' approach.

Set-pieces, fighting to the end for smash-and-grab victories and making the most of limited chances was the formula which worked last season.

This season, Bulut said he wanted more control of possession. But a chronic lack of pace undermined any attempts to turn Cardiff into a more attacking force.

The continuing injury woes of Isaak Davies, who does have pace, and Aaron Ramsey, have been major blows, allied to Bulut’s reluctance to give a run to the flair of Rubin Colwill.

And if some players have downed tools on Bulut, then they are duty bound to pick them up again now he has gone. We shall see.

Certainly the support of the fans home and away has been the one constant. They deserve better.

Last season may too often have been boring to watch, but supporters were prepared to put up with that in order to avoid the relegation worries of the previous few years. In this campaign there has been no such solace.

So what now? Well, there is no stability and probably won’t be under Tan. That has been clear throughout his tenure.

Off the field with the improved academy facilities and a new training ground ever closer, things are developing.

For some time, the club has been crying out for a director of football, but that appears a long way off – not least because that person would probably go the same way as a clutch of managers if results were bad.

As is the way with Cardiff in recent times, Omer Riza – who joined the coaching staff in the summer from Watford – will get the chance at the helm while a search is underway for a Bulut successor. If Riza does well, he could even get the job to the end of the season.

But despite the table position, the reputation of the owner and the general uncertainty at Cardiff there will be plenty of interest in the manager's job.

Dalman nailed his colours to the Bulut mast, but after this experience may take a back seat on the next appointment with more responsibility on the shoulders of chief executive Ken Choo.

Frankly, money is best kept firmly in pocket over possible successors given the situation at Cardiff City.

All you can say is – they have plenty of experience of seeking someone to take the hot seat during the autumn.

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Cardiff City captain Joe Ralls has urged his team-mates to give "absolutely everything" in Saturday's game against Leeds United as a tribute to their former skipper Sol Bamba.

Bamba died last month aged just 39 having been taken ill while working as technical director for Turkish club Adanaspor.

The former centre-back captained Cardiff and Leeds, and Saturday's game will be an opportunity for both clubs to remember the hugely popular Ivorian.

“Horrible circumstances obviously, incredibly sad, but Sol was one of the most positive guys I’ve ever met in my life," said Ralls.

"It’s important we attack the day, attack the game in that nature, in his nature. I think that’ll be everyone, fans, players, everyone coming to the ground on Saturday, should have the same intention.

“Going out there and giving absolutely everything you’ve got with that shirt on your chest just like Sol did every time he stepped on the pitch for this club.

"That’ll be the message for the boys, and we’ll want to go out there and give a performance we’re sure that he’d be proud of, it’s important we do that."

Cardiff are in the midst of their worst start to a season for 35 years, bottom of the Championship with just one point and a solitary goal from their five matches so far.

Ralls hopes the emotion of Saturday's game against Leeds - and the chance to remember Bamba - will galvanise the Bluebirds.

"We’ve got our own stuff going on obviously, we need to get our season up and running, with the added thing of remembering Sol on that game, it’d be perfect for us to turn our fortunes around on that game," the midfielder added.

"First and foremost your thoughts go to Chloe, Sol’s wife, his girls, and his family and loved ones, we send our condolences always to them.

“Sol was brilliant. We had tough times with Sol and he was always there, I think we’ve just got to stick together as a team, and as a group of players."