**Cardiff City Embarks on New Manager Hunt with Former Manchester City Executive at Helm**
Cardiff City have announced a strategic shake-up in their approach to hiring a new manager, following the team’s recent relegation to League One. The club has introduced a robust selection process, incorporating both experienced football minds and external recruitment expertise, in hopes of steadying the ship ahead of the next season. At the forefront of this new direction is Mark Allen, the former academy director at Manchester City and ex-director of football at Rangers, who will play a crucial role within a newly-formed task force aimed at identifying Cardiff’s next managerial figurehead.
The announcement follows the dismissal of Omer Riza three matches before the close of the season, a decision that saw club legend Aaron Ramsey step in temporarily. However, Ramsey’s own future remains the subject of internal discussions, as the board carefully weighs up their long-term options. Chairman Mehmet Dalman has emphasised the gravity of the process, describing the hunt for a new manager as ‘not one to take lightly’ amidst aspirations for a swift return to the Championship.
To assist in the search, Cardiff City have enlisted the support of renowned global sports agency Wasserman. While the involvement of Wasserman sparked concerns about limited candidate pools, the club has confirmed that applications are welcomed from well beyond any single agency’s clientele. In a bid to introduce greater rigour, the club is relying upon a sub-committee consisting of Allen, Cardiff’s own academy chief Gavin Chesterfield, and an external figure associated with Wasserman, to scrutinise an initial long-list. Their task will be to distil this into a dozen serious contenders, ahead of an interview round that will yield a concentrated shortlist to be presented to owner Vincent Tan.
Dalman has outlined this enhanced procedure as a ‘one-off’, tailored to the urgent need of securing the club’s future direction after what has been a bruising campaign. He reflected candidly on previous recruitment attempts, acknowledging both successes and failures, and underlining the vital importance of making the correct appointment. “We need a new manager and we’ve got to get it right,” Dalman remarked, stressing a desire for a seasoned leader capable of nurturing both youthful prospects and seasoned professionals within the squad.
There is an evident appetite for broadening football expertise within the club’s leadership structure. Dalman expressed his desire for “more people…who understand football” to operate at board level, suggesting that this collaborative method could be considered for future key decisions if proven effective. Allen’s blend of experience — previously holding posts at Swansea, Rangers, and most recently Saudi side Al Ettifaq, where he worked with Steven Gerrard — has been highlighted as particularly invaluable to Cardiff’s ambitions.
The urgency of the process is clear, with Dalman hopeful of completing the appointment before the close of the month. He anticipates the sub-committee will filter through a pool of approximately 30 candidates, narrowing it progressively until a final recommendation is put before Tan. “There are too many names for me and the board to distil and analyse,” he admitted, hence the strategic use of expert involvement to avoid rushed decisions.
Cardiff City are now keen to ensure that the manager’s role, considered highly attractive thanks to an emerging cohort of talented youth and an experienced core, captures the attention of leading candidates both domestically and abroad. Dalman stated that interest in the post has been significant and that applications will be segmented into categories — from proven managers to promising up-and-comers, as well as overseas options — before a definitive choice is made.
This latest approach comes in the wake of frustration among supporters, with a section of the fanbase recently protesting the club’s leadership, particularly billionaire owner Vincent Tan. Despite criticism following the club’s slide into League One, Dalman insisted that Tan remains steadfast in his commitment to Cardiff, referencing previous promotions to the Premier League and substantial investment in the team’s fortunes.
“He has always said ‘Everything is for sale at the right price – except for family.’ As far as I am concerned, and I am having this discussion after a dialogue with him, I don’t see anything else but his commitment to make sure we bounce back,” Dalman concluded.
Cardiff City’s supporters will now await news on the club’s pivotal appointment, hoping this fresh approach can chart a course back towards the heights of English football.