FIVE FAVOURITES FOR THE CARDIFF CITY MANAGER ROLE
- ccfcinsider
- Oct 8, 2024
- 3 min read
As Cardiff City's managerial hunt reaches it's sixteenth day, there has been no real indication on who the next Bluebirds boss will be. Therefore, we will breakdown those tipped by SkyBet.
Slaven Bilic (5/2)
Slaven Bilic became favourite yesterday after hints on social media. Bilic has been in charge of Hajduk Split, Croatia, Lokomotiv Moscow, Besiktas, West Ham, Al-Ittihad, West Brom, Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al-Fateh over his long managerial career. Bilic sets up his defensive shape with two solid central defensive midfielders to create a low block, Bilic focuses on wide play demanding quality from his wide men to provide goals, Bilic's sides are also built on one solid central striker laying the ball back to the ‘second row’ of attackers, as he calls them. Much of the play comes from the midfield, playing and building up from deep. The Croatian typically operates with a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3. Bilic is a charismatic and passionate manager who has time for everyone. He wears his heart on his sleeve and often calls games correctly.
Omer Riza (3/1)
The Bluebirds' interim boss comes in as second favourite. Riza hasn't hidden from the fact he would love the permanent role. It's been better under Riza as the 44 year-old has overseen City's first victory of the season. Riza has recently come under fire after a tactical change against Bristol City, a change that might've seen him fall down the list. Riza has utilised the younger talent in the Cardiff squad, as the City players have seemingly reacted well under the former Arsenal striker. Riza has continued to use a 4-2-3-1, however City have looked far more defensively solid in the last two outings. City's interim boss also appears to have reinstalled confidence into the team.
Steven Schumacher (3/1)
Perhaps the supporters favourite. Schumacher sits third favourite at the time of writing, with the 40 year-old looking for a swift return to football following his dismissal at Stoke City. Schumacher's style of play is based around speed, attacking and ruthlessly exploiting spaces in the final third. Usually operating with four at the back, he likes to play with one defensive midfielder and two No 8s who can score and create goals. A key part of Schumacher’s tactics has been the tendency to press and be generally aggressive out of possession. Steven Schumacher has earned heaps of praise throughout his career not only for getting the best of his players but for his brand of football which can be easy on the eye.
Ryan Lowe (7/2)
Another Ex-Plymouth boss comes in at fourth favourite, Ryan Lowe is without a job after leaving Preston after one game. Ryan Lowe has stamped his authority onto his early clubs with his high-pressing attacking football which transitions through various formations throughout the game. Going into managerial terms, the formation most commonly used by Lowe is a 3-5-2, with wing-backs used to allow easy transition within attacking and defending. If the play is over, the wing-backs can drop alongside the three centre-backs to create a 5-3-2 diamond. This allows holding midfielders to step slightly in front of the centre-backs to compact the opposing team causing more risks to be taken, which therefore creates a greater chance of mistakes to be made from the opposition, allowing the quick counter-attack.
Michael Beale (8/1)
Last but not least is former QPR, Rangers and Sunderland Michael Beale, the 44 year-old sits fifth favourite at the time of writing. Despite a poor recent spell at Sunderland, Beale is still a highly thought of coach, and someone Cardiff have approached previously. Beale says that, when it comes to an out-of-possession approach – defending, counter-defending and defensive restarts – he wants his team to “own the pitch”. Defensive success is intrinsically linked to attacking. He strongly believes that better defensive organisation will mean more possession of the ball. If your team is organised, you will run less, there will be less stress on the players, and they will be more ready to attack when the chance arises. Whatever the out-of-possession approach – be it a high press, a mid-press or a low press – teams must have the ability to “turn the dial to maximum”.
Summary:
I think there's two or three good options in here that I hope the bookies are right with. Schumacher is the obvious one on the tip of City supporters tongue, however there are also more tested option like Slaven Bilic and Ryan Lowe.
Whether these five are actually in the mix remains to be seen, however the standards of manager in this list is respectable.
*Odds at the time of writing, subject to change.
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