Former Cardiff City striker Nathan Blake has publicly criticized Cardiff’s leadership for the club’s inconsistent direction in recent years.
The Bluebirds have recently sacked manager Erol Bulut, and languish at the bottom of the Championship. They appear to be pursuing lifelong fan Nathan Jones as their next manager, but the search drags on and the gap between them and the clubs above gets wider.
Since dropping out of the Premier League they have got consistently worse, finishing 5th, 8th, 18th, and 21st, rising a little to 12th last season. However, their former striker believes their problems run deep, and go back to before they dropped out of the top flight.
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, via the South London Press, Blake said: “It’s not just a problem that’s come around now, I’ve been saying it for six or seven years, maybe longer. I don’t look at the hierarchy at Cardiff and think really they know what they’re doing.”
Blake also questioned the decision-making processes at Cardiff, adding: “They’ve been in charge 10, 11 maybe 12 seasons now so it’s a massive gamble, you’re gambling with a lot of money, but it seems to be, at the end of the day, one singer, one song, one person makes decisions and those decisions aren’t always to the benefit of the club.”
Blake’s frustrations highlight a broader issue with managerial changes at Cardiff, where a lack of continuity has resulted in a series of short-lived tenures in recent seasons. “It seems to be a bit of a merry-go-round for Cardiff when managers do come in. There seems to be a lot of toing and froing whether he was going to get a new contract and then a few players signed and then it seemed to just fall off the edge of a cliff.”
Who is Nathan Blake?
Blake began his career at Cardiff City, making his debut in 1990. A talented forward, Blake quickly became known for his physical presence and ability to score important goals. He played a pivotal role in Cardiff’s promotion from the Fourth Division in 1993, showcasing his potential as a key player.
In 1994, Blake moved to Sheffield United, where he continued to develop his game, but it was during his time at Bolton Wanderers that he truly made a name for himself. Joining the club in 1995, Blake helped them secure promotion to the Premier League in his first season, earning a reputation as a reliable goal scorer. His performances in the top flight attracted the attention of other Premier League clubs, and in 1998, he signed for Blackburn Rovers.
Blake later moved on to represent Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City, enjoying a successful career that spanned over 15 years. However, his connection to Cardiff City remained strong throughout his career. Blake has often spoken about his affection for the club where it all began and his desire to see them succeed.
Since retiring from professional football, Blake has become a prominent media figure, regularly providing analysis on Welsh football and Cardiff City in particular. His strong opinions and deep ties to Cardiff have made him a vocal critic of the club’s management in recent years.
Writer’s View
Nathan Blake’s criticism of Cardiff City’s leadership reflects frustrations that many fans share. The club has experienced a steady decline since their Premier League relegation, with a lack of stability at the managerial level further exacerbating their problems. Blake’s comments about poor decision-making highlight the deeper issues in Cardiff’s hierarchy, where inconsistent choices seem to have left the club directionless.
The ongoing delay in appointing a new manager only adds to the uncertainty. With Cardiff City languishing at the bottom of the Championship, the gap between them and safety grows larger. If Nathan Jones is truly the man they want to lead them, the club must act swiftly. Drawing out this process risks derailing the season further and unsettling the club’s long-term plans. Quick, decisive action is needed to restore stability and give the next manager the best possible chance to turn things around.
Editor In Chief
