WHO IS THE GREATEST CITY MANAGER IN PAST 20 YEARS ?

The greatest Cardiff City managers of the past 20 years...Terry Phillips' verdict on the brilliant and bizarre Bluebirds bosses

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... st-7421842?

Football writer Terry Phillips has worked for WalesOnline and the South Wales Echo for 20 years, dealing with 15 different managers, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in the process.

Here he ranks them on their achievements and managerial style, though Solskjaer is exempt on the basis that the jury remains well and truly still out on the Norwegian.

Some of these managers have secured hero status, while others have been forgotten in a heartbeat.

They are the men who have been tasked with leading the Bluebirds during some incredible highs and more than a few lows.

Take a look at pictures to see his countdown from 14 to number one...and see who Terry believes has been the greatest Cardiff manager of the past 20 years.

Below, Terry explains his choices and reveals what they were like to deal with...


14. Phil Neal February 1996 to August 1996 (0 years, 182 days)

Neal became Cardiff City manager in 1996, but couldn’t save his team from finishing 22nd in Division Three, the forth tier of the Football League. Only Scarborough and Torquay United were below the Bluebirds. Neal moved on the following season after an indifferent start and became Steve Coppell’s assistant manager at Manchester City. There were high hopes for Neal, but he scarcely made an impact.

13. Kenny Hibbitt May 1995 to February 1996 (0 years, 276 days)

Kenny Hibbitt August 1996 to November 1996 (0 years, 102 days) and January 1998 to February 1998 (0 years, 24 days)

Three spells in charge, but he wasn’t manager for all that long even if you add them together. It was a difficult time for Cardiff City. Far too much coming and going, so many changes. Hibbitt would be in, then out. Osman was in for a while, then Hibbitt returned.

Finally, Frank Burrows was appointed and Hibbitt became director of football. Burrows, though, didn’t seem keen on Hibbitt - and they had offices at either end of the Ninian Park corridor which ran past the home dressing room.


12. Bobby Gould August 2000 to October 2000 (Two months)

A former Wales manager who took charge at Cardiff City during August 2000, linking up with close pal Sam Hammam. The two men knew each other well and Bobby had done a lot of research when Hammam wanted to buy the club.

Billy Ayre was the manager who took the Bluebirds on a pre-season tour to Ireland - and Gould was sent on a spying mission to assess the squad.

One match near Longford was played at a local club ground. There was a decent clubhouse, but it was more or less an open pitch with trees to one side. Bobby was just inside the tree line, trying to stay out of sight, as the match started.

He was, of course, spotted quickly and City fans were going over to chat to him or simply walking past and saying ‘Hi Bobby’.

Hammam became owner and Gould was later appointed manager. He was soon replaced by Alan Cork, although for a time had the title of general manager.

11. David Kerslake December 2013 to January 2014 (0 years, 6 days)

Malky Mackay’s assistant, who stepped up for two matches - against Arsenal away on New Year’s Day and Sunderland at home. It was always clear a new manager would be brought in, but Kerslake, ably assisted by Joe McBride, did a professional job while they were in charge.

City resisted Arsenal at the Emirates for a long time and led against Sunderland at home before the visitors fought back to draw.

10. Russell Osman November 1996 to December 1996 (One month)

Finished his playing career with Cardiff and then went straight into management. But he was only in the role for one month before being replaced by Kenny Hibbit.

9. Terry Yorath November 1994 to March 1995 (0 years, 120 days)

A director as well as manager when he took over from Eddie May. Yorath was part of a consortium trying to buy the club. His time in charge though was brief. He resigned in 1995 with Cardiff on their way to relegation.

Always approachable.


8. Len Ashurst August 1989 to May 1991 (1 year, 303 days)

I first met Len Ashurst 40 years ago. He had just been appointed manager of Gillingham and back in 1974 I was a 22--year-old journalist working for the Kent Evening Post.

Len and I had breakfast at the Royal Victoria and Bull Hotel in Rochester, Kent. Len earned promotion with the Bluebirds during his first spell with the club, but they were relegated to Division Four during his second spell.

7. Billy Ayre February 2000 to August 2000 (0 years, 194 days)

Never really given a chance to succeed as Cardiff manager, but he was as straight as they come and was always willing to stop and chat.

After one match at Bristol Rovers I asked Billy what had gone wrong when Cardiff had conceded a goal. We were in the car park and he called a few players off the bus and positioned them where they had been when the goal went in.

He used them to explain the mistakes made - and made everything clear.

Sadly, Billy passed away in 2002.

6. Alan Cork October 2000 to February 2002 (16 months)

A great bloke and a man who was good to work with.

Occasionally, Corky would give me a ring on a Sunday and ask if I fancied a drink in Cardiff Bay. He lived nearby, I would drive down and he’d bring his wife along and we’d sit, sometimes in the Terra Nova pub, and talk about the club and anything else.

He led City to promotion in 2001, but I remember the day he was sacked. Cork’s City were thumped 4-0 at Wigan Athletic and the story started circulating as I drove back towards South Wales.

It was true - and Sam Hammam had decided to make a change. Cork had not been that popular among supporters and he was gone. Yet only the previous month Cardiff had earned that magnificent FA Cup win against then Premier League leaders Leeds United on a famous night at Ninian Park.

5. Dave Jones May 2005 to May 2011 (6 years, 5 days)

A difficult man to deal with, in fact one of the most difficult managers I have worked with in 45 years as a journalist.

There were times when Jones was a good guy - he knocked on my door to borrow DVDs during a pre-season tour to North America and presented me with a team shirt - and others when he wasn’t.

When he fell out with the Echo I tried to thrash it out with him, man to man. But he wasn’t interested.

I always had access to Cardiff press conferences at this stage, but Jones would not enter the media room post-match if our journalists were present.

We stood our ground, Jones had to do his press conference outside and media colleagues took our dictaphones out and recorded his words anyway.

Vincent Tan is keen on Dave Jones and he is a decent manager, but he failed to take the Bluebirds up during a six-year stay.

4. Frank Burrows May 1986 to August 1989 (3 years, 62 days) and February 1998 to February 2000 (1 year, 350 days)

A tough Scot who could, at times, be a difficult man.

But Burrows was straight and honest with me - and I’m still in contact with him.

He led City to promotion during his first spell with the club and they won the FAW Premier Cup in his second.

There were times when it was a battle of wills between us. I popped into Ninian Park one morning, at 9am, and he asked me to wait. The hours ticked by, but I would not give in.

I did some work in reception as I waited and didn’t move from my seat. I could see his car outside and would know if he left past the boot room.

At around 4pm, Burrows strolled out to go home and was shocked to see me still there. He did, though, sit down for an interview.


3. Lennie Lawrence February 2002 to May 2005 (3 years, 96 days)

Lennie was media friendly and a successful manager. He gave City fans a magnificent day out at the Millennium Stadium when they defeated Queens Park Rangers in the 2003 play-off final.

I will never forget the post-match party at a restaurant in the city centre. Trying to interview captain Graham Kavanagh and his players while they were trying to have a drink and celebrate was an experience.

I still chat to Lennie now and again.

2. Eddie May July 1991 to November 1994 (3 years, 123 days) and March 1995 to May 1995 (0 years, 61 days)

It was clear Eddie May was a special man after the 1994 Welsh Cup final when Cardiff City suffered a shock defeat against Barry Town in front of 14,130 fans at the National Stadium.

Bluebirds fans still chanted his name when Barry collected the trophy and any abuse was aimed at club owner Rick Wright.

I got to know Eddie well, particularly after he became Barry Town manager, and we chatted regularly. He loved football, loved to be involved, travelled the world and put as much passion into his time managing Welsh League Porthcawl Town five years ago as he had at any time.

Eddie led Cardiff to the Third Division title and they won the Welsh Cup. Only three managers have won titles for City - Billy McCandless (1947) and Malky Mackay (2-13) being the other two.

Sadly, Eddie died in 2012 at the age of 68. He is missed.

1. Malky Mackay June 2011 to December 2013 (2 years, 193 days)

A strong man who liked things done his way, but he had time for the local media. Mackay was always ready to chat and we met for breakfast at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort on a reasonably regular basis.

That access to the manager was a massive help to me in reporting on the club.

Mackay took Cardiff City into the Premier League, something no other manager did before him. Vincent Tan insists Dave Jones would also have led Cardiff to the title had he been given the same financial backing, but, as I told the Bluebirds owner, Jones tried and failed quite a few times.

It would be fantastic if Solskjaer emulated Mackay this coming season.


The jury remains out...Ole Gunnar Solskjaer January 2014 to present (0 years, 192 days)

Solskjaer, in all fairness to the former Manchester United striker, cannot possibly be judged.

He certainly can’t be blamed for last season’s relegation, while we wait to find out how his Bluebirds will fare in the Championship.

Solskjaer has added quality to the squad, there is no doubt about that, and is still intent on adding a defender.

Building a relationship with any new manager can be tough, but Solskjaer has been good to deal with.

He’s a good talker and willing to give time for fans and media.

He spent a fair bit of time posing for photographs and chatting to supporters after City’s 1-1 draw at Bath.

I would have liked to seen Lenny Ashurts bushy eyebrows with money

I'm no great fan of Dave Jones, who will all know could be a real miserable tw*t, but it appears to me that TP has placed him 5th in his list because he was difficult to get on with. How does that work when your writing an article about the "Greatest" City manager of the last 20 years.

I think few would disagree that MM achieved more than any other manager during the last 20 years, but how many had the financial support given him by VT? I suppose DJ was the closest when he was allowed to sign Craig Bellamy on loan but other than that DJ was forced to sell his best players on an annual basis.

In my opinion the season we lost the playoff final against Blackpool was an incredible achievement by DJ. Having to hold together a promotion push against a backdrop of a transfer embargo, PR Golden ticket scam, seemingly monthly appearances at the High Court, players not being paid and injuries at vital times when you look back it was an unbelieveable achievement to get to Wembley. We lost by the odd goal on the day but without the injury to Jay Bothroyd in my opinion the result would have been different and it would have been DJ who would have been first to take the club to the PL.

Sorry Terry but putting DJ behind Frank Burrows, Lennie Lawrence and Eddie May is wrong, in my opinion, and you should have looked beyond the miserable tw*t banning you from press conferences and more at what he did achieve.

only the echo could do a story on managers of the last 20 years and include a manger from 25 years ago!


Also most of the write up seems to be who terry was pally with

For me it's Malky Mackay

only the echo could do a story on managers of the last 20 years and include a manger from 25 years ago!


Also most of the write up seems to be who terry was pally with

I agree with you on this Paul, why 20 years ?

only the echo could do a story on managers of the last 20 years and include a manger from 25 years ago!


Also most of the write up seems to be who terry was pally with

I agree with you on this Paul, why 20 years ?

probably because he wants to fill the article with how he got on with them all personally like anyone cares!


Also, Kerslake in there? just silly.


Agree with Malky number 1 though, i would put DJ as 2

I'm no great fan of Dave Jones, who will all know could be a real miserable tw*t, but it appears to me that TP has placed him 5th in his list because he was difficult to get on with. How does that work when your writing an article about the "Greatest" City manager of the last 20 years.

I think few would disagree that MM achieved more than any other manager during the last 20 years, but how many had the financial support given him by VT? I suppose DJ was the closest when he was allowed to sign Craig Bellamy on loan but other than that DJ was forced to sell his best players on an annual basis.

In my opinion the season we lost the playoff final against Blackpool was an incredible achievement by DJ. Having to hold together a promotion push against a backdrop of a transfer embargo, PR Golden ticket scam, seemingly monthly appearances at the High Court, players not being paid and injuries at vital times when you look back it was an unbelieveable achievement to get to Wembley. We lost by the odd goal on the day but without the injury to Jay Bothroyd in my opinion the result would have been different and it would have been DJ who would have been first to take the club to the PL.

Sorry Terry but putting DJ behind Frank Burrows, Lennie Lawrence and Eddie May is wrong, in my opinion, and you should have looked beyond the miserable tw*t banning you from press conferences and more at what he did achieve.

I agree Jones had to work under extreme circumstances and should be placed higher than 5th. Met him once when he was promoting his book in Southampton, he had no interest in talking to me only in selling the book, to be honest i regret not saying no thanks you can keep the book.

What's his name ? Eddie May ,Eddie , Eddie , Eddie May

only the echo could do a story on managers of the last 20 years and include a manger from 25 years ago!


Also most of the write up seems to be who terry was pally with

I agree with you on this Paul, why 20 years ?

probably because he wants to fill the article with how he got on with them all personally like anyone cares!


Also, Kerslake in there? just silly.


Agree with Malky number 1 though, i would put DJ as 2

I think you right with this article, and as much as I disliked Jones, yes Malky first then Jones 2nd as at the end of the day, u have to win something and Jones did have 6 years to try,like I say not a fan of Jones but prob 2nd best in the last 20 years

I'm no great fan of Dave Jones, who will all know could be a real miserable tw*t, but it appears to me that TP has placed him 5th in his list because he was difficult to get on with. How does that work when your writing an article about the "Greatest" City manager of the last 20 years.

I think few would disagree that MM achieved more than any other manager during the last 20 years, but how many had the financial support given him by VT? I suppose DJ was the closest when he was allowed to sign Craig Bellamy on loan but other than that DJ was forced to sell his best players on an annual basis.

In my opinion the season we lost the playoff final against Blackpool was an incredible achievement by DJ. Having to hold together a promotion push against a backdrop of a transfer embargo, PR Golden ticket scam, seemingly monthly appearances at the High Court, players not being paid and injuries at vital times when you look back it was an unbelieveable achievement to get to Wembley. We lost by the odd goal on the day but without the injury to Jay Bothroyd in my opinion the result would have been different and it would have been DJ who would have been first to take the club to the PL.

Sorry Terry but putting DJ behind Frank Burrows, Lennie Lawrence and Eddie May is wrong, in my opinion, and you should have looked beyond the miserable tw*t banning you from press conferences and more at what he did achieve.

I agree Jones had to work under extreme circumstances and should be placed higher than 5th. Met him once when he was promoting his book in Southampton, he had no interest in talking to me only in selling the book, to be honest i regret not saying no thanks you can keep the book.

In my opinion the top 3 should have been Malkay Mackay, Eddie May and Dave Jones but for me none could hold a torch to Jimmy Scoular who, in my opinion, has been the best manager in my 49 years watching the City.

Yet again i agree as i have similar service to yourself but we know how it ended for Jimmy but in the good years we played some wonderful stuff.

What's his name ? Eddie May ,Eddie , Eddie , Eddie May

Eddie May will always be a Real Legend to me and one of my greatest ever seasons watching City was under Eddie May

Eddie and his Darling Buds every Ficking day of the week...

sorry how can anyone put malky 1st? just because got to premier! what other managers achieved on peanuts is far greater achievment than malkies. eddy is by far greatest in past 20yr, he will always be remembered with reverence will malky be? no chance.

sorry how can anyone put malky 1st? just because got to premier! what other managers achieved on peanuts is far greater achievment than malkies. eddy is by far greatest in past 20yr, he will always be remembered with reverence will malky be? no chance.

irrelevent really.

Malky achieved a lot here despite having a lot of drawbacks.

First season he over-achieved, second season we were really expected to win the league considering the money we spent. But he did it well!

Cant really say anything other than that.

my favourite times were under Eddie May.Jimmy Andrews and Scoular...............but Jones would be my greatest, did a fantastic job lifting this clubs profile in very difficult circumstances.............I do see the argument for Malky, but without Jones work here there would have been no VT, no money and no Malky..

It's got to be the dream team of Kenny Hibbitt and Russel Osman followed by Alan Durban

Dave Jones 5th All because he didn't want to lower himself to you, 'El Tel'

for me, DJ

Dave Jones 5th All because he didn't want to lower himself to you, 'El Tel'

for me, DJ

Dave or Malky should be 1 or 2.

My initial thought was Dave Jones. What he did with no money, the constant pressure of financial problems, is truly amazing, but he fell short consistently at the last hurdle. He didn't leave much for Malky to build on.

Both had strengths, both had failings. Malky was young and built from nothing, so he could be forgiven for his naivety in the transfer market, a decent Director of Football would have solved that weakness for the club.

I think if Malky had stayed 5 years and been allowed to consolidate in the PL he would would have been the "best in our history".

What about "best owner of past 20 years?"....

Kerslake 11th FFS

Mackay 1st
Jones 2nd

How Jones can be be 5th & behind Lennie Lawrence (the man he replaced & subsequently did better than for several years, despite less "stars") is crazy.

I'd like to think that it wasn't down to his dislike for the media...

Also, David Kerslake in it?!

Malky. He took us to the premiership on a budget of 15 million. Enough said.

Malky's record was superb in the 2 and a bit years he managed us, yes he was given money, but Malky delivered on everything he was asked to do, so u could not ask for more

On actual achievement it has to be Malky, but for consistently performing over an extended period, it has to be DJ.

The fact that Fergie was an awkward sod with the press at times, together with The Special One, etc. These are, or were, great managers. Their manner with the press is a total irrelevance. In fact, as the press started to realise DJ wouldn't be 'playing the game', reports of the games became negative. Just remember the platform Malky had after DJ together with huge money, all thanks to the attractiveness of the club for Tan, again, DJ was there to steady the ship.

All in all, DJ was the stand-out manager of the last 20 years IMHO.

Malky. He took us to the premiership on a budget of 15 million. Enough said.

With 30m on wages

Dave Jones.

I can't believe I wasted my time on that pile of shit.

I agree with most DJ should be higher on that list, but he never actually won anything. Yes the position the club was in was much better when he left, but he kept falling at the end. We overachieved big time in the FA cup season, but Pompey were there for the taking really, can't complain on that front though. In the league on the other hand we should have gone up in each of his last 4 seasons, in the end he was a failure.

Malky is rightly at the top of the list for me as he took us to the Premiersjip where we all wanted to be, bit forgetting he had 9 senior players when he first arrived and ended up taking us to a League cup final and the Playoffs.

Frank burrows for me