**Tony Pulis Urges Cardiff City to Rediscover ‘Identity’ Following Relegation Woes**
Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis has spoken candidly about Cardiff City’s current predicament following their demotion to League One, describing the club’s recent struggles as difficult to witness and warning that a decisive managerial appointment is now essential for future success.
The Newport-born football figure, widely respected for his achievements with Stoke City and his tenures across the top tiers of English football, reflected on the Bluebirds’ turbulent season which ended in relegation after what ranks as their worst start in the club’s 125-year history. The drop has left supporters and alumni reeling, and Pulis, who once regularly attended matches at the iconic Ninian Park, is among those concerned for Cardiff’s direction.
In recent remarks to OLBG, Pulis acknowledged the significant investment made in Cardiff City by owner Vincent Tan, but argued that financial input alone cannot reverse the club’s fortunes. “I hope Cardiff can bounce back because the downturn has been stark,” he said, noting the pressures now facing both Tan and chairman Mehmet Dalman. “The owner has spent a hell of a lot of money, but because results have not gone well and, perhaps, some key appointments have faltered, criticism has inevitably found its way to the top.”
Pulis highlighted his admiration for Dalman, describing him as “a really lovely person” in footballing circles, and suggested that both he and Tan will be under scrutiny as the club seeks to appoint a new manager. “The appointment of the next manager is going to be massive for them,” he explained. “They have to find a way, they have to find an identity. I don’t think they’ve had that for a couple of years. From the outside, the club appears to lack the direction it needs.”
It’s a sobering assessment from a man whose candid input weighs heavily as further changes loom at Cardiff. Pulis’s comments come at a time when the managerial hot seat at the Welsh club is once again in question, with recent reports linking him not to a return to South Wales, but rather to a director of football position abroad, reportedly at Egyptian giants Zamalek.
Though regularly linked to the manager’s job in years gone by, Pulis, now 67, is understood not to be in contention to replace the outgoing Omer Riza on a permanent basis. The search for a new leader will, therefore, represent a critical junction as Cardiff faces up to the challenge of climbing from the third tier.
Pulis also shared nostalgic memories of his early affinity with the Bluebirds, recalling the electric atmosphere during the John Toshack era and a memorable occasion when he watched Cardiff face Real Madrid alongside his father and some 50,000 other fans. “Those experiences at Ninian Park stay with you,” Pulis reminisced, underscoring the club’s rich heritage and what is now at risk.
Over the past several seasons, Cardiff have cycled through managers and failed to make significant progress, compounding the frustration for both their loyal fanbase and figures like Pulis who have long supported the club in one form or another.
Looking ahead, the crucial objective for Cardiff will be to rebuild with clear purpose and vision. As Pulis and others have suggested, establishing a distinct style and footballing philosophy may provide the cohesion, morale, and strategic focus needed to rebound from this nadir.
The pressure is now firmly on the club’s hierarchy to make a managerial appointment that can unite players, staff and supporters. For a club with Cardiff’s legacy and capacity, the stakes could not be higher, and many will be watching closely to see if the next chapter can restore the pride that once made the Bluebirds a force in British football.