Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has addressed speculation linking him to the vacant Cardiff City managerial role, following the sacking of Erol Bulut.
Cardiff dismissed Bulut on Sunday after a winless start to their Championship campaign, leading to a managerial vacancy that Jones, a favourite among the bookmakers, has been associated with. The former Luton Town boss has long been open about his connection to Cardiff City.
The Welshman, who hails from the Rhondda Valleys, has previously spoken about his affection for the club and his ambition to one day manage them. There is a caveat – he is currently boss of League One outfit Charlton Athletic.
Back in 2022, while managing Luton Town, Jones told Wales Online, “I worked on the turnstiles when I was an apprentice and then rushed and watched all the games. All my mates came down and then we would all go back and chat about the games. I love Cardiff City.”
Despite this, Jones remains committed to his current role at Charlton. The 50-year-old signed a long-term contract with the Addicks in February 2024, and has been instrumental in shaping the club’s transfer strategy and backroom staff.
When asked by the South London Press about his odds of becoming Cardiff’s next manager, Jones responded candidly: “When this kind of stuff comes up I’m very flattered to be linked with that. One day – I’ve made no secret and been totally open – I would like to manage Cardiff. It is my home town club – my dad lives close.”
He continued by emphasizing his dedication to Charlton, saying, “But, right now, I have got a fantastic job and I’m at a wonderful club where I’m really, really looking to build something. So that is where we are. I won’t be disrespectful to anyone in any way. So for me it is nothing – I get on with my job day to day and I love my job here and the people I work with. I’ve asked a lot of people to buy-in to that. There is nothing to say really.”
Jones’ comments reaffirm his current focus on Charlton, and as of yet, there has been no formal contact from Cardiff City regarding his availability. Sources close to the South London club have confirmed that Charlton has received no inquiries from Cardiff for Jones’ services.
When asked if there had been any direct communication with Cardiff, Jones laughed off the suggestion: “If I had I’m not going to suddenly turn around and say it here, am I! There is nothing really to worry about. I’ve got a wonderful job here and I took this job for a certain reason – because I believe we can build something special.”
While Jones remains steadfast in his role at Charlton, he has not hidden his ambition to manage Cardiff one day. “I make no secret about the Cardiff job, because it is my hometown club and all the affiliations I have there. One day I really, really would love to manage the football club. Right now I’m Charlton manager and I’m thoroughly enjoying the project we are building.”
Who Is Nathan Jones?
Nathan Jones began his professional career at Luton Town in 1995 after coming through the ranks at Cardiff City’s academy and playing youth football in Wales. The Welshman enjoyed a playing career as a left-back, featuring for a number of clubs in both England and Spain.
After retiring, Jones transitioned into coaching and management, most notably with Luton Town, where he achieved promotion and cemented his reputation as a manager capable of building strong teams. He has also had less successful spells with Stoke City and Southampton.
Writer’s View
The speculation surrounding Nathan Jones and Cardiff City is undoubtedly unsettling for Charlton Athletic, who are in the process of building under Jones’ guidance. Losing a manager with Jones’ experience and influence could severely disrupt the progress Charlton have made in recent months, and prolonged uncertainty surrounding his future will not help matters.
If Cardiff are indeed serious about appointing Jones, they must act quickly to resolve the situation. Delaying such decisions can be damaging, both for Cardiff in their search for stability and for Charlton, who need to focus on their season without distractions. Swift action from Cardiff will benefit all parties involved, ensuring clarity and allowing Charlton to continue their work without unnecessary disruption.
Founder of The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
