All the managers linked with the Cardiff City job and their chances of actually getting it

A number of managers have been linked with the post since Erol Bulut was relieved of his duties last Sunday

Cardiff City's managerial search is set to rumble on for a little while yet, but already a number of people have been linked with the vacant position in Wales' capital.

While Cardiff find themselves bottom of the Championship, of course it is an extremely appealing job for many managers. The potential is vast, plus there are still 40 games left in the season to turn things around and make a real dent.

Yes, the transfer window might not have gone tremendously well, but to say this Cardiff squad is a relegation squad would be untrue. In Erol Bulut's parting press conference he said: "I still believe the team can be in mid-table at the end of the season.”

That is easier said than done, of course, particularly when you are sitting right at the bottom of the table. But the right manager in the dugout can certainly lift this team out of its current malaise and get them up he ladder.

Just who will that person be, then? It's important to stress right now that the list of candidates is currently being drawn up by the club's hierarchy – so there are is, as yet, no definitive shortlist. But a number of potential options have been advanced over the last week or so. So we take a look at those who have been linked so far.

READ MORE: Championship captain tells Cardiff City to look at these two 'top managers' who would be 'good fits'

READ MORE: Nathan Jones in huge new Cardiff City job admission and says 'it's no secret'

Nathan Jones

After yesterday's revealing press conference, Nathan Jones has shot right into the forefront of Cardiff supporters' minds.

Given the opportunity to categorically rule himself out of the running, the current Charlton manager only fanned the flames with regards to his desire to manage the Bluebirds.

With the added caveat that he was happy at The Valley and was enjoying the project, Blaenrhondda-born Jones set pulses racing when he said: "When this kind of stuff comes up I’m very flattered to be linked with that. One day – I’ve made no secret and been totally open – I would like to manage Cardiff. It is my home town club – my dad lives close."

And added: “I make no secret about the Cardiff job, because it is my hometown club and all the affiliations I have there. One day I really, really would love to manage the football club. Right now I’m Charlton manager and I’m thoroughly enjoying the project we are building.”

He reassured Charlton fans there was "nothing to worry about", but he does have previous for upping sticks and leaving for jobs higher up the pyramid, exiting Luton Town twice for opportunities at Stoke City and Southampton.

Clearly there is an enormous emotional pull for Jones, who adores Cardiff and would love to be in the dugout at CCS one day. The reality is, though, he signed a long-term contract at Charlton and sources in London believe it would take a pretty penny to prise him away from it.

Given Cardiff will have to pay off Bulut and his departing staff, that proves a major stumbling block.

Steven Schumacher

A fan favourite among the early runners and riders, it would seem.

A report from HITC states Schumacher would be open to the opportunity after he was sacked by Stoke earlier this month, when the Potters were in 13th position, just nine months after leaving his post at Plymouth Argyle.

The Potters hierarchy described Schumacher as "one of the most exciting young managers in the country" when he took over in December, after winning promotion into the Championship with the Pilgrims in 2023, winning the League One with 101 points.

He would not require any compensation, given he is currently out of work, and has credit in the bank for his work with Plymouth. While it might not have worked out as well at Stoke — though, like Cardiff, it rarely does work out there for managers — the 40-year-old represents a viable option for the Cardiff hierarchy and it would be a great surprise if he wasn't a name under consideration.

While it's a relatively small market, Schumacher has moved up the odds list to become the bookmakers' current favourite. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

Freyr Alexandersson

Belgian press claimed KV Kortrijk manager Freyr Alexandersson had held talks with Cardiff chiefs about the position and even flew into the UK last week.

It was a report which forced the Belgian club to issue a statement, which read: "KV Kortrijk would like to respond to the incorrect reporting in the media that our coach, Freyr Alexandersson, would be making the crossing to Cardiff City.

"KVK and coach Freyr Alexandersson were stunned today to learn of the erroneous reporting in various media. Alexandersson was not in Wales last week and remains coach of KV Kortrijk."

"'I am not in talks with Cardiff and a departure is not on the agenda. Together with our fans, players & staff we are working hard on the future of KVK,' confirms our coach.

"The club will not respond further and, together with players, staff and supporters, will now focus all attention on next Sunday's match against Union."

Whether it was a case of putting two and two together, or whether there was more to it than meets the eye is still unclear. Indeed, Alexandersson, like Jones, has previously stated that he would love to manage Cardiff one day, so the idea that he was under consideration is not so outlandish, particularly given Kortrijk is owned by Vincent Tan and Ken Choo is also their chief executive.

After such a strong statement was issued by Cardiff's sister club, though, it seems highly unlikely now.

Ryan Lowe

Another manager currently out of work, who is well thought of at this level, is Ryan Lowe.

Like Schumacher, Lowe enjoyed success at Plymouth, steering them out of League Two after he had done the same with Bury the previous year.

Lowe started last season terrifically well, too, guiding Preston North End to the top of the table at the beginning of the season following an impressive run. That run, however, dropped off dramatically and North End eventually finished 10th.

His three seasons at Deepdale saw Preston finish in 13th, 12th and 10th, a solid return on a relatively modest budget and proof that he can navigate this tough division.

He left the club after just one game this season, with the club citing 'mutual consent'. But he would represent a solid option, like Schumacher, and current Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards yesterday vouched for them both.

When asked about the Cardiff job on the most recent Sportin Wales podcast, Edwards said: "I don't know. The only thing I do know is that two of my ex-managers are available. I don't know whether they will be of any interest, but Ryan Lowe and Steven Schumacher are two top, top managers.

"They have had a tough start to the season, so it will be interesting to see who they go for, they've got some top players. I know Joe Ralls there, we played together at Yeovil.

"They have some good players there so it will be interesting to see who goes in. But like I said, the two guys I mentioned there would be good fits - you never know."

If it's stability they are looking for, Cardiff could do a lot worse.

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Omer Riza

We simply cannot rule out the man with the job — of sorts — at the moment.

Cardiff have previous for allowing caretaker managers to get the gig, particularly when Vincent Tan has a big say in proceedings as we are led to believe he will this time.

Steve Morison and Mark Hudson both benefitted from being handed the job on an interim basis, with Tan a fan of employing young managers. They come far cheaper, too.

And Riza himself made it clear in his first press conference as Cardiff boss that he is keen to take this opportunity which has been presented to him and wants to show the hierarchy his credentials over the next couple of games.

After vowing to implementing major, attacking changes, Riza was asked if he was going to use these upcoming matches as a way of staking his claim for the job permanently, to which he replied: "I thought this would come up. I have worked really hard. I had a really good playing career, I played for 17 years. I’ve been managed by some great coaches, Don Howe, Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp, not to mention the coaches I’ve played under abroad. Culturally, I have learnt a lot as a coach.

"As a coach, I have worked in academy football, with youngsters and players throughout the leagues. I have worked non-League, grassroots, a first-team coach, head coach at Leyton Orient. I’ve done the groundwork and I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. I’m ready to take on whatever challenges are in front of me.

"I never like to go into any environment thinking [a manager being sacked] would happen. Obviously it can. I gave my best for Erol and unfortunately we didn’t get the results. Some games we have been unlucky, especially early on at the start of the season. There is never that thought.

"But I’m getting to the point in my career now, where, if you do get the opportunity you are ready to take it. I’m certainly ready for that. Hopefully we will see the fruits of that at the weekend."

Even if it's until the end of the season, do not rule it out entirely.

Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes is obviously a man well known to the club and supporters alike, and comes with a rich managerial CV that might well win some favour with some corners of the City hierarchy.

Indeed, he gatecrashed the odds earlier this week to emerge as the bookies' favourite, seemingly out of nowhere. However, it's worth remembering that the size of this betting market is small enough that even the slightest movement behind a certain name can see them shoot up to the top of the list of contenders.

And insiders have already poured cold water on the chances of the 60-year-old getting the job.

The former Wales boss has been tipped by the bookies to take the role before, having emerged among the favourites when Neil Warnock left the club in 2019. On that occasion, the club opted for Neil Harris, and the chances of Hughes taking the reins were largely dismissed.

And the same has happened this time around, too.

Rob Page

Rob Page was another linked with the job by HITC. The former Wales manager, and ex-Cardiff centre back, was said to be keen on the vacancy.

Page's previous stints in club management came with Northampton Town and Port Vale before he entered the Welsh setup, first in its youth ranks before succeeding Ryan Giggs.

He led Wales to the Euros and to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but by the end of his tenure this year results and performances had become poor and the situation grew a little toxic.

He is now looking for his next opportunity, however we understand the prospect of him becoming the next Bluebirds boss is remote.

Another person who was an early contender with the bookmakers was James Rowberry, who has moved up into Craig Bellamy's staff with the Wales national team, however he is thought to be fully focused on his new gig in the national team setup.

Des Buckingham

Des Buckingham has this week admitted there have been approaches for his services after achieving promotion with Oxford United, amid reports he is on Cardiff's radar.

According to Football Insider on the eve of Bulut's sacking, Cardiff were admirers of Buckingham, 39, who was previously part of Manchester City's 'City Group', holding roles at Melbourne City FC and Mumbai City FC.

But after achieving promotion to the second tier with Oxford last season and making a positive start to life in the Championship - with many players who were deemed surplus to requirements at Cardiff such as Ciaron Brown, Joe Bennett, Mark Harris and Will Vaulks - which sees the U's sitting comfortably in ninth position, it's understandable Buckingham has his admirers.

He fits the mould of a younger manager which would excite Tan, however given he is currently in a job, compensation is once again likely to prove an issue.