Cardiff City

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

On the day he was unveiled as new Cardiff City manager, one of the Bluebirds hierarchy described Erol Bulut as something of a wildcard.

Regardless of the contract poker playing out over Bulut’s future, it is safe to say Cardiff’s hired hand has provided returns.

In fact, as he approaches his 50th game in the Cardiff dug-out with this weekend’s final day of the season trip to relegated Rotherham United, Bulut can lay claim to already being one of the Bluebirds’ best bosses in recent times when it comes to wins.

Currently, the former Fenerbahce man can boast a 40.8% win ratio in charge thanks to 20 victories from 49 games in all competitions.

That is better than any of his five immediate predecessors who have held the position since Neil Warnock’s time as manager.

Even then, serial promotion winner Warnock’s win ratio was only slightly better at 40.97%.

And a win at the New York Stadium on Saturday would lift Bulut up to 42% - the best since Malky Mackay’s 43.2% during a period where the club reached the play-offs, a League Cup final and secured the Championship title.

If no new deal is agreed to extend Bulut's services, that is not a bad way to bow out.

There is a caveat, of course, in that Warnock’s record includes a season in the Premier League.

But Bulut’s 19 Championship wins is still the most in a campaign since the veteran Yorkshireman took the club to the top flight in 2018, when a superb season saw 27 victories celebrated.

Conversely, there have been 21 defeats this season – only one shy of last year’s struggle for second-tier survival – with Cardiff only drawing five games all term. Only promoted Leicester City have drawn fewer.

But given one of the attributes chairman Mehmet Dalman cited when explaining Bulut’s appointment was his knowledge of how to win games; the statistics show he has done just that.

Cardiff manager win ratios since 2013:

• Malky Mackay – 43.2%

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 30%

• Russell Slade – 37.21%

• Paul Trollope – 16.67%

• Neil Warnock – 40.97%

• Neil Harris – 38.71%

• Mick McCarthy – 36.84%

• Steve Morison – 35.56%

• Mark Hudson – 22.22%

• Sabri Lamouchi – 33.33%

• Erol Bulut – 40.8%

Image source, Getty Images

Former Cardiff City captain Steven Caulker has welcomed the news that the Bluebirds have started contract talks with manager Erol Bulut.

Bulut, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, has guided Cardiff to 12th place in the Championship with one game left this term - a big improvement on the successive relegation battles his predecessors endured in the previous two campaigns.

Former Cardiff, Tottenham and Liverpool centre-back Caulker played under Bulut for Turkish clubs Alanyaspor and Gaziantep.

"He's offered Cardiff some much needed consistency. They've needed a bit of stability and he's given them that," Caulker told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I think the fans, from what I read and what I hear, have taken a liking to him and I think it's really good news that [Cardiff owner] Vincent Tan is also backing him, and hopefully he'll back him in the transfer window as well.

"Erol's an ambitious man. I'm sure what he'll want is for the club to fully support him and get some new players in."

Image source, BBC Sport

There has finally been some movement on Erol Bulut's future as Cardiff City manager, with the club starting new contract talks with the former Fenerbahce boss.

It has taken a long time, with Bulut having to answer questions about his future for months.

He has always maintained that he would like to stay and, after we asked Cardiff's fans for their opinions on the matter, it looks like they want him to stay too.

Here's a flavour of what the Bluebirds faithful have had to say.

Viv Sanders: I desperately want Bulut to stay. If he does, I reckon there’s a great chance of promotion next year.

Nathan: Absolutely Bulut should stay. The football can be a little negative at times but he has had to make do with inheriting a squad that flirted with relegation last season and had a transfer ban in place in the first window. For us to be 12th and never threatened by relegation all season is a massive achievement for me. Bulut's Barmy Army.

David Whitwell: Bulut should stay 100%. He has done a great job with an average squad and lots of injuries.

Elsie Aubrey: We want Bulut to stay. Come on [owner Vincent] Tan, do it and give him some money to buy some players, as our team are all rejects from other teams.

David: Bulut should stay, Tan should go.

Peter Price: Bulut has done well to stabilise the club despite the embargo and the tin-pot nature of the board, which is impotent given the ownership.

Nick Clark: Bulut has us moving in the right direction and should be given the chance to carry on.

There were loads more comments, too many to include here. If you ever want to get in touch with your views on Cardiff, you can do so by filling in this form.

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City midfielder Ebou Adams says “the fans have said it all” after Derby County supporters urged him to stay at Pride Park.

Adams, who joined Derby on loan in January, was part of the Rams side that clinched automatic promotion back to the Championship on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Carlisle United.

Adams, 28, has proved a big hit at Pride Park and his Good Friday winning goal against Blackpool was voted by supporters as the Rams’ goal of the season.

The former Forest Green Rovers player has a year remaining on his Cardiff contract, but was serenaded by Derby fans with cries of ‘Ebou Adams, we want you to stay'. He has hinted he would like to remain at Pride Park.

"Words can't describe," he told BBC Radio Derby. "I think the fans have said it all. I've really enjoyed my time and I've loved it here. I've loved it. Honestly, I've enjoyed every single minute. Thank you to the fans, thank you to the club.

“I owe them so much. I'm happy to give them promotion, because that's the minimum they deserve. Hopefully next year they can go and do what they deserve to do.”

Adams says he is unclear on his future.

"It's never goodbye from me," he added. I don't know where I'm going to be."

Image source, Getty Images

Perry Ng was the big winner at Cardiff City’s end-of-season awards dinner.

The defender, 28, was named players’ player of the year for the second successive campaign and was also voted player of the year by Cardiff supporters.

Ng is the Bluebirds’ six-goal leading scorer this season, with boss Erol Bulut revealing earlier this month that he expects summer offers for the former Crewe player.

Long-serving captain Joe Ralls received an outstanding contribution prize at the awards night, which was held at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

The goal of the season gong went to Ollie Tanner for his strike in the south Wales derby win over Swansea City last September.

Wales international Rubin Colwill was named young player of the year at the Championship club, while his younger brother Joel shared the academy player of the year prize with Cian Ashford.

Seren Watkins was named Cardiff City Women’s player of the season, while Emma Beynon was the players’ player of the year in her first campaign at the club.

Eliza Collie, the Adran Premier’s leading scorer as Cardiff won the title for the second successive year, won the young player of the year prize.

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City striker Famara Diedhiou believes the Bluebirds have shown they have a “strong mentality,” with recent home wins over Ipswich Town and Southampton.

Both the promotion rivals were beaten 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium despite leading 1-0, with Cardiff scoring their winning goals deep into injury time in each match.

Diedhiou, who is on loan at Cardiff from Granada, scored the equaliser against Southampton last weekend.

“It was an unbelievable three points,” he said.

"Picking up three points against Southampton is never easy. I think we have a strong mentality to come back and win the game at the end.”

Diedhiou had a perfect view for Cian Ashford’s winning goal and he feels the teenager, who was making his first Cardiff start, has an extremely bright future.

"The manager tries to give chances to everyone, and that includes the young lads as well. Ash (Ashford) has been playing well, and honestly, he is such a good and talented player.

"He shows it in training just how good he is. The gaffer gave him a chance and he took it. I think he is the future of the club.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Manager Erol Bulut believes the Cardiff City hierarchy are happy with the club’s progress this season.

Owner Vincent Tan is still to reveal whether he will extend Bulut’s stay with the Championship side.

Bulut's contract expires at the end of the season.

"I know from the chairman, Mehmet [Dalman], he is talking with the owner, they are happy with the situation and where we are right now,” Bulut said.

After the Bluebirds endured relegation struggles in the past two seasons, Bulut has halted the club’s decline.

Cardiff are 11th in the table going into Saturday's penultimate game of the campaign, at home to Middlesbrough, with some having tipped them to face another fight against the drop.

In fact, Cardiff have flirted with the play-offs for parts of a more encouraging season.

And Bulut said: “The target at the start of the season was only to keep [in] the league. All of us did a great job.

“We have been close to the play-offs. We could be even closer if we managed some games differently, but it's always about small details. We lost some games where we could have more points, but that's the game.

"At the end, some fans, players, myself are a little disappointed, we could be closer. But we forget where we took the team from to where we are right now. This is a signal to say 'ah, this club can push this season now to go to the next level'."

Despite uncertainty over his future, the former Fenerbahce boss is focused on finishing the season strongly.

Cardiff's final match is at already-relegated Rotherham on 4 May.

Asked whether he would say yes to Tan should an offer to remain materialise, Bulut said: "I don't need to answer that question because from my side it's clear.

“From the club's side, it's up to the board. The next few weeks, at the end of the season, we will have a clearer situation.

"It's not only about Erol Bulut signing a new contract, many other things are included. I think the board is thinking about all of the things and how to manage it - to come to me or not to come to me.

"One thing you have to know, the board and me only want the best for Cardiff City."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Former boss Mark Hudson has praised Erol Bulut for his performance as Cardiff City manager, as speculation continues over his future.

Bulut is out of contract at the end of the season and says his future is in the hands of the club's directors, while talks continue.

Hudson, who was Bulut's immediate predecessor as Bluebirds boss for most of last season, has been speaking on Elis James' Feast of Football podcast.

"I think he's done well. I follow the results because I've been there as a player, been there as coach, been there as a manager," said Hudson.

"They've had blips in the season and form dips. But look at the game the other day [against Southampton], it was unbelievable. A bench full of youth players. Cian Ashford started.

"Good recruitment in terms of the two centre-halves. They played really well together as partnership. Manolis Siopis has come in and done really well.

"But he's managed those individuals, and even if they've took away a lot of the senior players, he's got them to perform, got results."

Hudson spent five years as a Cardiff City player and was made captain under manager Dave Jones, and says he is keen to see the Bluebirds succeed.

"Could results be slightly better in parts of the season?" added Hudson.

"I think he (Bulut) looks confident in the way he delivers a team. The team have responded to him. You can see that with results.

"He's been very clear what he wants from the players. He's done really well, but again it'll be exciting for the supporters to see the academy prospects coming through.

"Whether they can play regularly and sustain good enough form to be successful in terms of promotional or play-offs next season, I'm not sure. But proof will be in the pudding".

Image source, BBC Sport

Erol Bulut has overseen a big improvement at Cardiff City during his first campaign in charge - but will he be there next season?

Bulut has said he wants to stay but, with his contract expiring at the end of this season, Cardiff have not yet started talks about a new deal.

What do you think the club should do?

Let us know by filling in this form.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Erol Bulut’s future as Cardiff City manager is still no clearer after months of speculation and with only two games left in the Championship season.

In his first campaign in charge, the former Fenerbahce boss has guided Cardiff to 11th place in the table – a far cry from their successive battles to avoid relegation in the previous two seasons.

Bulut’s contract expires at the end of this term and, although he has repeatedly and publicly declared his desire to stay, Cardiff have not started negotiations about a new deal.

That has come as a surprise to many Bluebirds fans as well as neutral observers such as Ryan Dilks, who hosts the Second Tier podcast, which is dedicated to the Championship.

“I think it’s absolutely mad that he’s not been given a new contract,” Dilks told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“Many Cardiff fans will probably remember that I was quite down on their chances this season.

“I thought they might have a genuine chance of going down because Cardiff are a club who’ve been going in the wrong direction for quite a while now with an owner [Vincent Tan] who has varying degrees of interest in the club.

“For him [Bulut] to get them into a top-half place, as things stand, is a ridiculous achievement. So if he weren’t to get a new contract that would be a massive shame.”

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales Under-21 striker Cian Ashford says he always used to dream of scoring a winner like Saturday's dramatic goal against Southampton.

Cardiff beat the Saints 2-1 thanks to Ashford’s stoppage-time winner, delivering a hammer blow to Southampton’s automatic promotion bid in the process.

Ashford, 19, says it was "special" to score his first senior goal for the club he supported as a boy but did not know how to celebrate as family and friends watched on.

"Quite a lot of friends and family were watching so there was a bit of pressure on, but I’ve given them a goal," Ashford told Cardiff City TV.

"I didn't know how to celebrate! I've never had a feeling like that. All the fans going crazy...it's what I dreamed of.

"Since I was about five or six, I used to come and watch Cardiff.

"To score in front of the Canton End is something I've only ever dreamed of. Coming into the game, I was just happy to play."

The goal came just 10 days after Ashford - from the Rhondda - made his Championship debut, in a 1-0 win at Birmingham.

That led team-mate Jamilu Collins to describe Ashford as "the future for Cardiff."

City have high hopes for the teenager who has been at the club since joining the academy at the age of six.

He has represented Wales at age group levels, including scoring twice in the current under-21 European qualifying campaign.

In January he put pen to paper on a new club deal which will keep him at Cardiff until June 2027.

Manager Erol Bulut had promised he would look to give his Bluebird youngsters a chance towards the end of the season with Cardiff out of play-off contention.

And Ashford's winner against Southampton was delivered by two academy players linking up, debutant Luey Giles providing the assist.

Raheem Conte also made his debut at right-back in the second half.

Bulut was pleased with their contributions as Cardiff clinched their first home win since early March.

"Sometimes in life, when you get a chance, you have to use it well...and they used it well [against Southampton]," Bulut said.

"I hope they can add to that. I hope they have a good future here."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Southampton boss Russell Martin says he “was not bothered” and “won’t take it personally” after home groundstaff appeared to turn the sprinklers on him before Saturday’s Championship match at Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds secured a first win over a Martin side in six attempts as they came from behind to beat the Saints 2-1 thanks to Cian Ashford’s stoppage-time winner, delivering a hammer blow to Southampton’s automatic promotion bid in the process.

Before the game Martin went over to clap Southampton’s fans - and was sprayed by sprinklers.

After fist-bumping a couple of Cardiff ground-staff, Martin attempted to leave the pitch but was then again in the line of a sprinkler which came on as he went past (and seemed deliberately timed).

The home fans enjoyed the moment and Martin said he understood the ice-cold reception he got as a former Swansea boss who won all four of his south Wales derbies against Cardiff.

"It doesn't really bother me. Obviously I'm not really well liked here," he said.

"They had a good moment at the end. I've had plenty of good moments here, so it's all fine.

"What other way is there [to react]? None of them know me personally, I don't know any of them in the crowd personally, so it would be madness to take it personally.

"They've had their day today, I've had two brilliant days here previously, not today. I'm sure every time I come back here I will get the same treatment."

The ex-Swansea boss – who is being sued by his former club for breach of contract – even found time to praise a Cardiff player.

“I thought Rubin Colwill was really outstanding for them today," he added.

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut remained tight-lipped on his future after the Bluebirds' 2-1 win over Southampton.

Fans sang in support of Bulut, whose contract expires in the summer, and chanted they wanted him to stay at the club.

Bulut says he appreciates the support but reiterated that a decision on his future will come first and foremost from Cardiff's owners.

Asked about fans chanting for him to stay, Bulut said: “Of course, if you have support from the fans, from the board and everything is really positive here.

"I don't want to speak too much about this situation, it's up to the board either way. I appreciate this.

"The board, I think, they have opinions and thinking for the future of the club. I think they will make the right decision for the club.

"For my side, I hope to make the right decision for myself and my future."

Image source, Rex Features

Manager Erol Bulut insists Cardiff City will not be lacking motivation when they host Championship promotion contenders Southampton on Saturday.

Saints, who are guaranteed at least a play-off spot, are four points adrift of the automatic promotion places with four matches left.

Cardiff, who are 11th, have nothing to play for with neither the play-offs nor relegation a possibility with three games remaining.

"For us of course there will be good motivation to play against Southampton," said Bulut.

"They are one of the teams in the play-offs pushing to maybe get promoted automatically to the Premier League.

"Of course they will be coming here to get points and we have less of a squad [because of injuries], but we will try to make it difficult for them and get points for ourselves."

Southampton boss Russell Martin can expect a frosty welcome at Cardiff City Stadium as a former Swansea City head coach.

He became the first Swans boss to win both league encounters with Cardiff in one season, and he managed the feat twice.

Martin also oversaw a 2-0 win for Southampton over Cardiff earlier in this campaign.

"About Swansea, I don't know. I wasn't here," said Bulut.

"We played once against each other but we have to see the squad he has, the budget he has, and what we have."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath hopes his performances for Cardiff City this season will help earn him a place in the United States' squad for the Copa America.

Horvath, 28, joined the Bluebirds from Nottingham Forest in February and has made 13 appearances since moving to south Wales.

He also has nine international caps to his name and will be aiming to add to that tally when the USA host the Copa America in June.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Horvath.

"It's going to be a very busy summer. We have two friendlies before the actual tournament.

"My first call-up was 2016 and it was actually the 50th anniversary of the Copa America, so to go back to that will be really nice.

"In the semi-finals we played Argentina. It was sold out, 80,000 in the stadium, [Lionel] Messi and all the likes of them. It was unbelievable.

"They breathe eat, sleep, football over there so it’s a massive tournament."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Erol Bulut's future as Cardiff City manager remains unclear - and he does not want to discuss speculation linking him with the vacancy at Turkish giants Besiktas.

Reports in Turkey suggest Bulut could be in contention to succeed former Portugal boss Fernando Santos, who was sacked by Besiktas.

Bulut's contract at Cardiff expires at the end of this season - of which there are only three games left - and talks about a new deal have not begun.

Bulut has managed in Istanbul before, but for one of Besiktas' great rivals, Fenerbahce.

"I don't want to speak about these messages," he said when asked about reports linking him to the Besiktas job.

"I read many things. But I don't want to give any message to any news. I am focused on the club here, Cardiff City, and what comes after that we will see."

Bulut has said on several occasions that he would like to extend his stay at Cardiff, but remains without an offer of a new deal.

"We don't need to speak about my contract," he said.

"This is up to the board, they have to decide about this. I have three more games to play with Cardiff City and I will try with my guys to do the best job."