By Gareth James
Cardiff City fans have voiced their fury over the lack of urgency in appointing a new manager.
Bluebirds fans groups have come together to write an open letter to the club’s officials, demanding action and warned a “toxic” feeling towards the club poses huge dangers.
The club’s supporters have been waiting for over two months to find out who will replace Erol Bulut, who was fired on September 22.
Interim manager Omer Riza has lifted the club from bottom spot to fourth from bottom, but the team is still just above the relegation zone.
The wait, and lack of any transparency or outlined strategy from the board, has prompted the fans organisations to act.
In their letter to chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo, the Cardiff City Fan Advisory Board said they have “serious concerns” about the “lack of any clear plans” for the club.
They warned that fan opinion is increasingly hostile and that this could lead to “irreversible toxicity and apathy almost irrespective of results on the pitch.”
The letter says supporters are losing trust in the club’s decision-making abilities. They believe the drawn-out manager search shows a “lack of leadership, overall strategy, and footballing knowledge at the club.”
An open letter to the Cardiff City Owner, Chairman and CEO. On behalf of all official Cardiff City supporters organisations, there is complete unanimity and agreement behind this letter which has been penned. Expressing deep concern with the current situation at the club. pic.twitter.com/eYIB903X4L
— Cardiff City Fan Advisory Board (@cardiffcityfab) December 1, 2024
The fan board has made three key requests: update fans about the search for a new manager, share clear plans for this season and the future, and communicate more regularly with supporters.
It comes after Cardiff drew 2-2 away at Coventry City on Saturday after a controversial penalty decision went against them two mionutes from time.
The Bluebirds were harshly penalised for what was adjudged to be handball by defender Callum Chambers.
The referee had appeared to wave play on, before then awarding Coventry a penalty – the decision being disputed by incensed Cardiff players.
New Sky Blues manager Frank Lampard insisted he has been sent to Coventry as “a coach and not a celebrity” – but was immediately shown the size of his workload.
The England legend’s return to management led to a forest of cameras pointed towards the tunnel before kick-off.
But by the time Lampard headed down the same exit route 96 minutes later, he had been left in no doubt why his new club need more than just a sprinkle of stardust.
A unconvincing display by the Sky Blues was suitably capped by a dodgy penalty, which allowed Victor Torp to score from the spot and earn Coventry a point.
Former Chelsea and Everton boss Lampard was given the full big build-up treatment by the stadium announcer, but opted for a shy wave from the touchline rather than striding to the centre spot.
“I’m a low-key person, that’s how I am,” insisted Lampard.
“I’m here as a head coach, I’m not here as a celebrity. I’ve coached other teams in the Champions League but that’s not how I am.”
Riza said: “Personally, I don’t think it was a penalty. I’ve looked at it back, that’s my opinion.
“I’m not willing to really discuss the decision in respect to the referees, they’ve made their decision and I have to respect it.
“I don’t look at the occasion in respect to whether Frank (Lampard) has got the job or whether their fans are going to be up for it or their players are going to have a bounce.
“I think they all knew about that anyway without me telling them – they’re experienced players a lot of them – and for us it was about us doing our job and trying to get back on track, and I think we managed that quite well today.
“The first half was difficult, the second half I think we earned a lead and we could have come away with a win, but we got the point and I think we have to be semi-happy with that.”
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Both clubs are are now winless in five games, but Coventry have inched up to 16th in the table, while Cardiff remain 20th.
The late leveller came when Cardiff defender Chambers was harshly judged to have handled a cross from Ellis Simms.
Referee James Bell looked doubtful himself and had waved away Sky Blue claims until he suddenly swerved and pointed to the spot after a nod from his assistant.
That was tough on Cardiff who had twice gone ahead and looked the better of two teams trying to pull away from the relegation zone.
Yakou Meite headed the Bluebirds in front, but their lead lasted just three minutes before Ephron Mason-Clark volleyed home a neatly chipped assist from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.
It stayed that way until just after half-time when Cardiff’s Australian international Alex Robertson unleashed a dipping 25-yarder for a goal that deserved to be a winner.
