Former Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut has spoken out against current Bluebirds boss Omer Riza after feeling disappointed by his successor.
The Turkish boss was ousted in South Wales after a poor start to the season, and whilst their league position hasn’t fared much better across Riza’s tenure in charge, there has been a more positive mood at the club.
Bulut Disappointed With Riza
Bulut’s comments of discontent towards his ultimate replacement came on a Turkish television show, where he said he was regretful at how the transition of power played out and was disappointed that Riza did not consult him about taking the position at Cardiff.
As translated by Wales Online, the former Fenerbahce boss was asked if he felt betrayed.
“‘Betrayal’ is a sensational word. I always say this: If I’ve gone somewhere with my team, the team I built, and we’ve made an agreement, then when we part ways, we should leave together from there as well.
“Because he came [to Cardiff] thanks to me. You should have asked me, because we came here together. We’re not the type of people to turn things down.
“If such a question had come up, I would have gladly accepted it from my assistant. Because what does ‘assistant’ mean? He wants to become a head coach one day, that’s his goal.
“But at least if he had come, asked for approval and then left it would have been more graceful. When it didn’t happen that way, then, as a coach, I need to think this way… it means, from the beginning, you have had an assistant who has been working behind your back and trying to take your place.”
Writer’s View
Erol Bulut’s time at Cardiff ended in very horrific circumstances that culminated in the club’s worst start to a season in its history. It feels like he is trying to create drama out of not much and while he may have grievances with a lack of investment for players in the transfer window, his anger should not come to his assistant. As he says in his own words, “We’re not the type of people to turn things down”, so why should Omer Riza turn down a chance with Cardiff when it was offered to him?
