Next Cardiff City manager odds: Chris Wilder leads race to succeed Mick McCarthy

Cardiff had been on the receiving end of their eighth straight defeat - their worst run of form since the 1930s - and McCarthy was under pressure from his own supporters.

The decision to part company came hours after McCarthy oversaw a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough, with the Irishman not even afforded his post-match conference duties with the media.

A key decision now lies at the feet of Vincent Tan and the Bluebirds hierarchy with the threat of relegation a real possibility.

Languishing just two points above 22nd-placed Hull City, there is now the choice of choosing another ‘firefighter’ manager who will get the club out of their problems, but will only be a short-term option.

Or is it time for Cardiff to consider a more long-term option with an emphasis on a playing identity as well as a transfer strategy?

Who is favourite to replace Mick McCarthy?

Chris Wilder is currently the front-runner to succeed Mick McCarthy, owing mainly to his attendance at Craven Cottage last week, where he witnessed Fulham inflict a 2-0 defeat on Cardiff.

The 54-year-old, who won the LMA Manager of the Year award in 2019, is out of work after leaving Sheffield United in March 2021.

Rob Phillips from the BBC Radio Wales however believes it is more that Cardiff are interested in Wilder, than he is in joining Cardiff.

Another suggestion is Michael Flynn, who managed nearby Newport County for five years, overseeing a number of memorable FA Cup runs.

He is in direct competition with Jody Morris for second and the pair continue to displace one another as time goes on.

Morris has only ever been an assistant at senior level football, working with Frank Lampard at both Chelsea and Derby County.

What’s the situation at the Cardiff City Stadium?

As the club now looks for the eighth manager in Vincent Tan’s ten-year reign as owner, Under-23’s manager Steve Morison has been placed in charge for the foreseeable future.

The former Wales international is expected to take the team into the next international break, overseeing three matches, as the Welsh club bide their time over a successor.

Morison, who a selection of Cardiff fans have suggested for the role, is unlikely to take the role on full-time after the recent comments of chairman Mehmet Dalman.

In a meeting with supporters before the match, he was asked the question by supporters of whether Morison, who has been successful with the age-grade side, could be a viable option.

He said: “I’ve spent my entire career avoiding risk - and that would be a risk.

“If it doesn’t work you’re in a relegation battle, and you have an under-23 manager who’s never done that before. I’m not prepared to take that risk.”

It is understood from information shared at the meeting that club owner Vincent Tan has a preference of a ‘direct’ style of play, which is what Cardiff fans have been accustomed to for years.

The next manager should expect on a limited budget given the cost-cutting exercise the club is undergoing, with no transfer fee exchanged last summer.

Off the field issues such as the court case of whether Cardiff should pay Nantes over the transfer of Emiliano Sala, who tragically passed away in January 2019.

Next Cardiff City manager odds

Former Blades boss Wilder is favourite at 6/4, but looks to be drifting away from the role as new candidates emerge.

• Chris Wilder - 6/4
• Michael Flynn 9/2
• Jody Morris - 5/1
• Neil Harris - 8/1
• Steve Morison - 10/1
• Chris Hughton - 12/1
• Roy Keane - 12/1
• Michael Appleton - 14/1
• Robert Page - 14/1
• Alan Pardew - 16/1

Odds courtesy of SkyBet and correct at the time of writing and may go up or down.

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