"I've met Mehmet" - Tony Pulis drops claim on "massive" Cardiff City call facing Vincent Tan | OneFootball

Tony Pulis has outlined the importance of Cardiff City appointing the right manager as they prepare for life in League One.

Tony Pulis has urged Cardiff City to bring in a manager that can give the club ‘identity’ as they prepare for life in League One.

The Bluebirds have endured a terrible season that saw them finish bottom of the Championship, so they will be back in the third tier for the first time in over 20 years.

Naturally, that has brought plenty of criticism to the figures involved, with Omer Riza losing his job as manager just weeks before the season finished, and owner Vincent Tan has faced plenty of fury from supporters.

Tony Pulis highlights Cardiff City problems as managerial search starts

Club legend Aaron Ramsey replaced Riza as interim boss for the final few games, but the priority is now about finding a manager for the 2025/26 season, where promotion will be the aim.

And, speaking to OLBG, ex-Stoke City chief Pulis explained how the new man must be allowed to put their own mark on the club to ensure long-term success and stability for Cardiff.

“I hope Cardiff can bounce back, there's been a real downturn on things there. The chairman has spent hell of a lot of money but because you lose and because things don't go well and because of the appointment of maybe one or two people, it drifts away and everything gets thrown at the chairman and Mehmet Dalman.

“I've met Mehmet. Mehmet is a really, really lovely person and another person you would hope would be successful. But they have to find a way, they have to find an identity.

“I don't think they've had an identity for a couple of years. I don't think, from the outside, that the club has had the direction that it's needed. Vincent Tan has put a lot of money into that football club so everything will be pointing at him at the moment and he'll definitely feel the pressure – the appointment of the next manager is going to be massive for them.”

Cardiff City hierarchy must put a proper football strategy in place

There have been too many mistakes by the Cardiff hierarchy over the past few years, and it culminated in this embarrassing relegation to League One.

Simply put, given the size, potential and resources of Cardiff, they should be trying to make that next step to the Premier League. Instead, they are now in the third tier.

Now, it's about trying to rectify the mistakes, and using this negative experience to build solid foundations that can kickstart a brighter era for Cardiff.

As Pulis says, the manager is the big one, so it will be interesting to see who lands the job, with Dalman claiming there is plenty of interest. Then, it’s about backing the boss to ensure Cardiff’s stay in League One is a short one.