Cardiff City are closing in on a surprise managerial appointment ahead of their League One rebuild.
Michael Beale has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge following the club’s relegation from the Championship.
Beale Tipped for Cardiff Return Despite Sunderland Struggles
Cardiff are preparing for life in League One after a disastrous 2024/25 campaign that saw them finish bottom of the Championship. The season ended in disarray after Omer Riza was dismissed with just two games remaining, having failed to turn around the club’s fortunes.
In his place, club legend Aaron Ramsey stepped in as interim manager, but he was unable to spark a late revival. Following relegation, Ramsey hinted at deeper issues behind the scenes, with under-pressure owner Vincent Tan now tasked with getting the club’s next move absolutely right.
Michael Beale
According to EFL Analysis, former Rangers and QPR boss Michael Beale is now the front-runner to take over at the Cardiff City Stadium. Beale, who has been out of work since departing Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, is said to be one of several names shortlisted for the role.
His most recent spell in English football came with Sunderland in 2023/24, where he managed just 12 games before being sacked. Beale recorded four wins, two draws and six defeats during his short time at the Stadium of Light – a tenure that ended with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman admitting the hire was a mistake.
Beale’s track record includes a short-lived but promising spell at QPR and a stint at Rangers, where he was brought in following Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s exit. His work under Steven Gerrard at both Rangers and later in Saudi Arabia has shaped his reputation as a coach, even if his managerial CV remains mixed.
Writer’s View
Michael Beale’s name will raise eyebrows—especially among Sunderland fans who remember his brief and underwhelming time at the Stadium of Light. However, Cardiff are in a different situation altogether. League One provides a slightly less ruthless environment, and Beale’s coaching pedigree could be better suited to rebuilding projects than immediate Championship success.
That said, his record still invites scrutiny. Four wins from 12 in his last English role is hardly inspiring, and Cardiff fans will want more than promises of potential. If Beale is appointed, he must hit the ground running and show that he’s learned from past failures. Cardiff need direction, structure, and unity—and it will be up to Beale, or whoever takes the job, to provide just that.
