Cardiff City: 44-year-old League Two manager emerges as surprise contender to replace Omer Riza | OneFootball

Cardiff City are reportedly interested in Salford City boss Karl Robinson after suffering relegation to League One

Cardiff City are on the search for a new permanent manager after suffering their first relegation to League One since its inception more than 20 years ago, and Salford City boss Karl Robinson has emerged as one name on the radar of the club's under-fire hierarchy.

That's according to a recent report published by Football Insider, where it is said that Robinson is in contention to take over as Cardiff's next permanent managerial hire following the sacking of Omer Riza last month.

The Bluebirds were led by Aaron Ramsey, who is still under a playing contract in the Welsh capital, for the final three matches of the season after parting ways with Riza, but the ex-Arsenal midfield star was unable to save his boyhood side from relegation.

Ramsey was the third and final manager to take to the dugout in what was a dismal campaign for Cardiff, who eventually finished the season bottom of the Championship, having failed to win any of their remaining eight matches of the season.

With the reality of relegation having set in, and supporter unrest at what feels like an all-time high, Cardiff are seemingly looking to undertake the requisite work ahead of League One as soon as possible, which will all start with getting a permanent appointment in place.

Salford City boss Karl Robinson in contention to take over at Cardiff City

As per the aforementioned report, Robinson is being considered by Cardiff's key decision-makers as they look to bring in a new manager to spearhead the club's bid for promotion back to the Championship at the very first attempt.

Indeed, the 44-year-old is described as a "top contender" for the role and has reportedly been shortlisted ahead of a potential approach, of which there is no mention of just yet.

Compensation would be required to prize Robinson away from Salford, whom he guided to an eighth-place finish in the 2024/25 League One campaign - though a 2-2 draw away at relegated Carlisle United on the final day cost them a play-off spot.

A well-known figure throughout the lower reaches of the EFL, Robinson has impressed after returning to senior management with Salford in January 2024.

He is perhaps best known, however, for his five-year stay with Oxford United between 2018 and 2023, having also previously managed the likes of MK Dons and Charlton Athletic.

Cardiff City could aim higher than Salford City's Karl Robinson

Although Robinson possesses vast experience in spite of his relatively tender age in the dugout, having managed close to 800 EFL matches at the age of 44, it's not the ambitious appointment which you feel Cardiff must make in order to get supporters back onside and make a statement of intent going into the third-tier.

He has earned one promotion from League One, which came with MK Dons. However, that was all the way back in 2015 and Cardiff fans will likely hope for a more progressive, upwardly-mobile manager or head coach with recent promotion-winning credentials.

Des Buckingham, who led Oxford to promotion last year before being relieved of his duties back in December in what appeared a contentious decision at the time, would fit the bill and represents the type of appointment that would generate much-needed energy, positivity and confidence among a rightfully-dejected fanbase.

There will also be a natural clamour for boyhood Bluebird Nathan Jones, currently of promotion hopefuls Charlton Athletic. Either of those appointments, you feel, will perhaps come with natural pros and cons, but could have more potential upside than delving into League Two to get Robinson in through the door.