Tony Pulis looks like a firm favourite to join Cardiff
Ole Gunner Solksjaer, the source of so many get out of jail strikes for Man Utd, could not save himself. The parting was over a “difference of philosophy”, a nice way of saying Solksjaer wasn’t getting the job done. He lasted 8 months and could not save Cardiff from being relegated to the Championship. In 30 matches as manager he won just 9 and lost 16 and this early into the season, the Bluebirds find themselves 17th in the league with just two wins. On Tuesday, they lost to Middlesbrough, their third loss in 4 matches. Solksjaer’s departure isn’t exactly surprising.
Cardiff’s new owner Vincent Tan, was painted as a pantomime villain after he forced out Solksjaer’s predecessor Malky Mackay and his ego fueled trip over changing the team colours from blue to red. But he’s been vindicated to a large degree after Mackay was revealed to be a no good piece of work. Tan’s ownership triggered off a racist and xenophobic strain within the good ol’ white boys in the LMA.
Tan further consolidated goodwill as he demonstrated a long term commitment to the club. This summer he continued his investing substantial amounts to strengthen the squad bringing in new faces including a £10m spend to bolster the defense.
There is no reason why Cardiff, if it gets a proper manager cannot get back into the Premier League. Tony Pulis, linked with every club that needs one, should be a firm favourite. Coincidentally, the former Stoke City boss is in Malaysia working for Astro Sports TV covering the Champions League. Others in the running include former Cardiff manager Dave Jones, Neil Lennon, Ginafranco Zola, David Platt, Tim Sherwood, and Cardiff City legend Craig Bellamy who could return to assist Jones if he’s made manager. However, there is a sense of gloom with the club perceived by many as unattractive to coach. Fans may like Tan but the media loves a pantomime villain narrative and their caricature of him as a micromanaging megalomaniac who knows little about football probably intimidates prospective hires.