Exclusive: What Don Goodman has now said on big Nathan Jones, Charlton Athletic decision amid Cardiff City talk | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that Nathan Jones' decision to stay at Charlton amid Cardiff interest is the right call.

After weeks of speculation linking Nathan Jones with a return to his boyhood club Cardiff City, the 52-year-old has now made his decision to stay at Charlton Athletic.

Jones guided the Addicks back to the Championship through the League One play-offs, and has opted to remain at the Valley despite interest from the Bluebirds, whose search for a new manager is soon to drag into its seventh week.

Cardiff fail in bid to lure Charlton boss Nathan Jones

As reported by Darren Witcoop, Cardiff made multiple attempts to secure Jones' services, identifying him as their number one managerial target. However, all approaches were rebuffed by Charlton.

Now, with the situation settled following a Charlton announcement stating that Jones has penned a new five-year deal with the club, Jones is set to continue leading the Addicks into the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Cardiff are now left to reset their search after failing to bring the Welshman home.

Don Goodman: Staying at Charlton is the right call

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman was asked whether he believes this is the right decision, and he weighed in with his belief that it is a smart and measured one.

"I'm not sure how far down the line it got with Cardiff offering Nathan Jones the job. Obviously, interest was stated," Goodman said.

"But, I guess really, he had to consider all the information at his disposal. The truth of the matter is that Cardiff City hasn't been a very well-run football club for quite some time."

Despite Jones' well-known affinity for the Bluebirds, Goodman believes that logic won out over emotion in this case: "Maybe there is that niggling doubt in the back of Nathan Jones' mind about what he will be walking into," he added.

"And, having said all that, Charlton is a big club that is a league higher than Cardiff City. He has worked very, very hard to get them there, so I do understand why he would choose to stay with Charlton Athletic."

Charlton set for Championship return under Jones' leadership

Charlton, who have spent five seasons outside the second tier, now look ahead to their first Championship campaign under Nathan Jones, and the club hierarchy are insistent that he's the man to lead them forward.

Meanwhile, Cardiff are left to reassess, with the likes of Des Buckingham, Ian Evatt, and Brian Barry-Murphy still on their shortlist.

But with Jones officially off the table, the Bluebirds' pursuit ends in disappointment. And with pre-season fast approaching, the clock is ticking in South Wales.