Cardiff City could have made a major step towards appointing a new permanent manager after it was revealed a candidate has met owner Vincent Tan.
The Welsh side took the decision nearly two months ago to sack Erol Bulut after a difficult start to the season which left The Bluebirds bottom of the league and adrift of the rest of the competition.
Trip To Malaysia Revealed
Current interim manager Omer Riza has done well in the wake of the sacking of the former Fenerbache boss and it seems that this upturn in form has pleased owner Vincent Tan, with Wales Online revealing the 45-year-old has flown to Malaysia to meet him.
City are still in the relegation zone in the second tier on goal difference but performances have seen the club claim seven points in their last five matches, the best form in the bottom seven of the league in the division. His overall form has seen him win four, draw two and lose three of his nine games at the helm.
Riza has previously stated he would like to be given the chance to take the role permanently with his name mooted alongside managers such as Charlton Athletic’s Nathan Jones and ex-Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher.
Wales Online has also noted that Tan, who has ran the club since 2010, has wanted to hand a young manager a chance in the hotseat and develop them. They also noted that insider sources at the club were surprised that a deal to secure Riza has not been made sooner.
Writer’s View
It felt almost inevitable over recent weeks that it would be Omer Riza who would get the Cardiff City job full time. He has done an admirable job in the last two months and has saved the club from a very precarious situation to be on par with many of their rivals. Whilst this meeting isn’t a confirmation he will get the job, it is a very good sign that the former Leyton Orient caretaker boss will be appointed soon.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
