ASSESSING CARDIFF CITY'S LINKED MANAGERS
- ccfcinsider
- May 26
- 4 min read
Cardiff City are reportedly hopeful of securing a new manager this week. With a handful of names linked, I will be assessing those, and if they fit what The Bluebirds need ahead of this colossal summer ahead.
Ian Evatt:
Ian Evatt is the bookies favourite, and has been for some time, and is thought to be seriously considered for the role.
Career so far:
Ian Evatt began his managerial career at Barrow in 2018, guiding them to the National League title and promotion to the EFL in 2020 with an attacking style of play. He joined Bolton Wanderers shortly after and led them to promotion from League Two in his first season. Under his leadership, Bolton continued to progress in League One and won the EFL Trophy in 2023. Despite early success and a clear footballing philosophy, Evatt parted ways with Bolton in January 2025 following a dip in results.
Style of Play:
Evatt’s style of play is centred around modern, attacking, possession-based football, characterized by building from the back, high pressing, and fluid, expansive movement. His teams typically play with a structured shape—often a 3-4-1-2 or 4-3-3—that emphasises control of the ball, quick transitions, and intelligent positioning. Full-backs and midfielders are encouraged to overlap and rotate, creating overloads and sustaining attacking pressure. This approach earned his Barrow side the nickname 'Barrowcelona' and later made Bolton one of League One’s most watchable teams during his tenure.
Fit The Bill?
On a whole, Ian Evatt does fit the bill. Evatt has two promotions under his belt, whilst playing a distinct style of play, and an attractive on at that. He's worked under tough conditions before, and will come in knowing the size of the job at hand. The 43 year-old is experienced at the level City now find themselves in, therefore won't need time to adapt to the league's challenges.
Des Buckingham:
Career so far:
Buckingham began his managerial career with Wellington Phoenix in the A-League, becoming the youngest head coach in the league's history. He then joined the City Football Group, working with Melbourne City and later managing Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League, where he led the team to impressive domestic success, including winning the ISL Shield and setting multiple records. Before returning to his boyhood club, Oxford United, where he guided to promotion to the Championship.
Style of Play:
Des Buckingham's style of play is heavily influenced by the philosophy of the City Football Group, focusing on possession-based, attacking football with a strong emphasis on build-up play from the back. His teams typically employ a high pressing system, looking to win the ball back quickly and dominate territory. He values structured positional play, encouraging his players to maintain width and fluid movement to create overloads and passing lanes.
Fit the Bill?
Another who does fit the bill. Exciting football with experience of getting out of this exact division, and has principles that match those at the highest level. It also feels like one the fan could get behind from day one, and could excite the City faithful.
Brian Barry-Murphy:
Career so far:
He began his managerial career at Rochdale in 2019, helping the club avoid relegation and later managing them through a challenging period that ended with relegation in 2021. He then took over Manchester City's Elite Development Squad, where he won consecutive Premier League 2 titles. In December 2024, he joined Leicester City as a first-team coach under Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Style of Play:
Barry-Murphy’s style of play is generally focused on possession-based football, emphasizing control of the game through keeping the ball and building attacks patiently from the back. He encourages his teams to play with technical skill, fluid passing, and intelligent movement, aiming to create chances through teamwork rather than relying on long balls or direct play. His approach also values developing young players’ understanding of the game, encouraging creativity and tactical awareness on the pitch. Overall, his teams tend to play a disciplined yet attractive style, balancing solid defensive organization with attacking intent.
Fit the Bill?
He does if City are going to focus on bringing through their young talents this season. This is a young squad, so Barry-Murphy could be a great choice, as he knows how to nurture talents into top players. The Irishman does lack experience at first-team level, which could be a cause for concern.
Aaron Ramsey:
Career so far:
Aaron Ramsey has had an illustrious playing career, but in terms of coaching and managing, the 34 year-old has very little experience. Ramsey's experience to date is three Championship games, having drawn two and lost one in his brief spell as interim last season.
Style of Play:
There's no real answer to this, as there's so little to go off. Cardiff were fairly poor in all three of the 34 year-old's time in charge, but how relevant is that?
Fit the Bill?
I don't think so. I love the sentiment of Aaron Ramsey being the manager of Cardiff City one day, but I don't feel that day has yet arrived. Ramsey just needs to build up a little more experience before he should be seriously considered for me.
Summary:
Four very different options, three of which I think there are positives if they're chosen for the role, and one I don't just think is ready yet. It's a huge call, and one that they cannot afford to get wrong.
Opmerkingen