WELL CARDIFF FANS A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE OF YOU?

We take a look at four decades of Bluebirds bosses to analyse their records and where they stand when it comes to the affection of Cardiff's fanatical supporters


BY PAUL ABBANDONATO

Thursday 24th February 2017

Who has been your favourite Bluebirds boss?


As Neil Warnock's Bluebirds roared into a three goal lead against Rotherham at the weekend, a chant started up by the Canton Stand quickly reverberated around the whole of Cardiff City Stadium.

"One Neil Warnock, there's only one Neil Warnock..."

The Bluebirds boss is meant to be football's Mr Marmite. But as far as Cardiff's fans are concerned, it's 100 per cent love.

These are the same followers who previously chanted 'Don't Sack Mackay' and 'Eddie May's Barmy Army' back in the mid-1990s.

But it's also fair to say other managers who have held down the Cardiff hot-seat haven't always had such a universal seal of approval. 'Relevant name' followed by 'Out' has been the chant for a few of them.

Somehow, you can't see that happening with Warnock. But exactly where does he stand in comparison to his many predecessors when it comes to affection from the supporters?

And, albeit only 23 games into his tenure, how does his record stack up against others who have done the Cardiff job over the course of the past 35 years?

Amazingly, Warnock already has the best win ratio of the lot... and this despite taking over a side that was rock-bottom, devoid of confidence and having to deal in free transfers.

So imagine what he could do with money to spend.









Anyhow, here's the Cardiff City managerial lowdown from down the decades...




LEN ASHURST (1982-84, 1989-91)

Win ratio: 38%

Fans' popularity (out of 10): 7

Had two spells in charge of the Bluebirds, the first following a highly successful spell in charge of nearby Newport County.

Took Cardiff to promotion from the old Third Division (League One today), before his success brought him to the attention of Sunderland.

His high stock amongst the fans earned him a second spell in the Welsh capital, but things didn't work out second time around and he left under a cloud.

Len Ashurst in charge of Cardiff City during an FA Cup clash against QPR in 1990






ALAN DURBAN (1984-86)

Win ratio: 26%


Popularity: 1


Oversaw truly dark days at Ninian Park where money was tight and the side had to endure back to back relegations. His terrible win ratio says everything.

Perhaps some fans knew what was coming, though, because defensive-minded Durban, then boss at Stoke, said after a loss to Arsenal: "If you want entertainment go and watch a bunch of clowns."

As a leader with Wales he was expected to make a success of management, but Cardiff's fans never took to him.







FRANK BURROWS (1986-89, 1998-2000)

Win ratio: 37%


Popularity: 8

Became an instant hit as he brought back some good times with promotion from the old Division Four, Burrows' Bluebirds playing a vibrant brand of football.

For good measure, Cardiff won another promotion during Burrows' second spell in charge, which came after a four-year period at the helm of arch-rivals Swansea City.

For different reasons, he left Cardiff under controversial circumstances on each occasion, but his stock was always high amongst the fan base.







EDDIE MAY (1991-94, 1995 for eight games)

Win ratio: 38%

Popularity: 10

The Big Man really did enthuse the fan base and suddenly there were 20,000 crowds inside Ninian Park as Cardiff roared to the old Division Three title.

That side may only have been playing the likes of Barnet, Hereford and Halifax, but the May-led Class of 1993 have gone into Bluebirds folklore. Young home-grown talent such as Nathan Blake, Jason Perry and Damon Searle emerged next to seasoned Welsh warhorses Kevin Ratcliffe and Robbie James.

There were also the goals of Carl Dale and Phil Stant. "Eddie May's Barmy Army" reverberated around stadia up and down the land.

If one manager will always rival Warnock for popularity, then Eddie is the man.

Eddie May salutes Cardiff City fans at Cardiff Arms Park following the Welsh Cup Final in 1995






TERRY YORATH (1994-95)

Win ratio: 19%

Popularity: 6

Cardiff fans staunchly supported Yorath when he was dismissed by Wales a year or so earlier, so coming to his home-town club seemed a win-win situation.

However, managing Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Neville Southall and Mark Hughes was a galaxy away from the turbulent problems Yorath inherited at the cash-hit Bluebirds in the lower leagues and his spell in charge has been pretty much forgotten.

Cardiff City owner Rick Wright with manager Terry Yorath in 1995





KENNY HIBBITT (three spells, May 95-Feb 98)


Win ratio: 33%


Popularity: 5

Cardiff fans had sympathy for Hibbitt, who was another having to manage with one arm tied behind his back.

Had a mixed record and would come out with some real pearlers. Like 'David Penney was world class today' following one game in the basement division!

Kenny Hibbitt with Steve White in the Cardiff dugout







PHIL NEAL (Feb 96 to Aug 96)

Win ratio: 21 per cent

Popularity: 6

This was almost the case of the one that got away. Neal arrived with a big reputation, having been a Liverpool kingpin, and expectations were high.

Fans were enthused by having such a major player at the time on board, but his spell was too brief and he left to become assistant to Steve Coppell at Manchester City.

Cardiff supporters were left wondering what might have been.





RUSSELL OSMAN (1996-98)

Win ratio: 32%

Popularity: 2

Cardiff fans simply never warmed to him. Had played at the highest level with England, but the football was never great and Osman's reign is another best - and easily - forgotten about.






BILLY AYRE (Jan to Aug 2000)

Win ratio: 26%


Popularity: 6

Frank Burrows' number two didn't expect to be elevated to the hot-seat when his boss departed after a second spell in charge. Eight months at the helm before Sam Hammam took over and appointed Bobby Gould above him.

The football wasn't great, but for personal reasons and sheer likeability Ayre is still regarded with fondness amongst the Cardiff fans.






ALAN CORK (2000-02)

Win ratio: 42%

Popularity: 5

After a brief flirtation with the hugely unpopular Gould, who was never going to succeed following his failure with Wales, Hammam turned to another former Crazy Gang member in Cork.

Cardiff won promotion in 2001, finishing second to Brighton, but Hammam felt they couldn't fail with the money he spent.

Despite that achievement, Cork was never regarded by the fans with the kind of affection they afforded to previous promotion-winning bosses such as May, Burrows or Ashurst.

Not too many were sorry to see him go, even though his win ratio was reasonably impressive.





LENNIE LAWRENCE (2002-05)

Win ratio: 41%

Popularity: 7

Brought in to aid Cork, but then took over as manager and started the ball rolling for the golden period we have seen in more recent times by leading the team to Millennium Stadium play-off victory over QPR and Championship football.

However, Hammam felt finishing sixth that promotion-winning season and just scraping into the play-offs wasn't good enough, given the unprecedented sums of money spent in the transfer market.

Lawrence stabilised Cardiff in the second tier, but the ambitious Hammam wanted more and a parting of the ways was inevitable.

Fans took to Lennie, though.

Lennie Lawrence gives orders to his captain Graham Kavanagh at the Millennium Stadium







DAVE JONES (2005-11)

Win ratio: 42%

Popularity: 7

It was under Jones' tenure that the Bluebirds really took off. Wembley appearances, genuine pushes for the Premier League, some thrilling goal-laden football played by the likes of Jason Koumas, Peter Whittingham Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra and Craig Bellamy.

The buzz was there, the fans flocked into the ground in their droves.

These were truly halcyon days, which even included an almost unthinkable FA Cup Final appearance.

Yet despite the glitter, Jones still managed to divide opinion. When he was sacked in 2011 half the fans were joyous, the other half furious.

The critics didn't like some of the comments he came out with and, rightly or wrongly, some felt he didn't regard the Cardiff v Swansea Welsh derby with as much importance as they did. It certainly wasn't just another game to them.

His backers could argue a statue of Jones should have been built in the city, given where Cardiff had come from. There was never even the remotest suggestion it might happen because he simply wasn't popular enough.

Perverse, given how thrilling the football was and the Wembley dream that was achieved.

Dave Jones was brilliant, yet still divided opinion





MALKY MACKAY (2011-13)

Win ratio: 43%

Popularity: 9

There is a significant difference to the way Malky was perceived whilst in charge, to the way he is viewed today given subsequent revelations. Our popularity figure is based upon his time as manager, when 'Don't Sack Mackay' chants reverberated around Cardiff City Stadium.

Malky was loved because he delivered the Premier League dream. Yet the football was never as scintillating as the style we witnessed under Jones and Vincent Tan is adamant anyone could have succeeded with the money he threw at the dream.

Malky's win ratio of 43 per cent is one of the better ones, but some might have thought it would be higher given Cardiff won the title in his second season and reached the play-offs and League Cup Final in his first.

Because of what has happened since, Malky will never be as fondly remembered as Eddie May. While he was in situ, his stock couldn't have been much higher.

Malky was loved, but then views changed for some






OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER (Jan 2014 to Sept 2014)

Win ratio: 30 per cent

Popularity: 4

Came with high hope and a big reputation, but oversaw chaos and carnage. Never better summed up than by a 3-6 home hammering by Liverpool, when Luis Suarez smacked a hat-trick.

Many fans liked Ole. Certainly loved the idea of a big Manchester United name. They just didn't think he had a clue about what he was doing.

Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knew time was up as his team lost to Middlesbrough







RUSSELL SLADE (2014-2016)


Win ratio: 37 per cent


Popularity: 4

If Solskjaer was too cavalier and gung-ho, Slade went the opposite way and the dire, turgid football turned so many fans away from the club.

Slade was unfortunate in as much as he was the manager in charge as the rebellion against the red reached boiling point. That combined with the loss of Premier League status, the route one style of play and the fact the fans wanted Tony Pulis, meant thousands voted with their feet.

Despite impressive early home wins during his tenure, Slade soon heard his own supporters turn upon him as they chanted 'You're getting sacked in the morning.'

To be fair, he turned that around and the hard-core of travelling support reckoned by the end he did a decent enough job under trying circumstances.

The critics, on the other hand, argued he had inherited a really decent squad of players from Solskjaer but was never the manager to get them into the top six.

Slade was a likeable bloke, but even Vincent Tan, his staunchest backer, had to take note of the majority of fans in the end.

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade applauds the fans






PAUL TROLLOPE (May 2016 to October 2016)

Win ratio: 16 per cent

Popularity: 3

His win ratio is the worst of the lot and the Bluebirds were only heading one way - League One - until Warnock came in.

Some fans liked the fact that he was at least trying to play the right way.

Never worked though. Wanted to mirror Wales' style at Euro 2016, but without anyone as quick as Gareth Bale or as creative as Aaron Ramsey.

Mission Impossible. Fortunately for Trollope, he departed before things turned nasty.






NEIL WARNOCK (Oct 2016 until present)

Win ratio: 48 per cent


Popularity: 10

Okay it's early days, but as things stand he has the best win record of any Bluebirds boss in the past four decades... and he's barely started in the job.

Unlike some of his more recent predecessors, Warnock has had to deal with free transfer signings, yet has still seen his side win 11, draw four and lose just eight of his 23 matches in charge thus far.

Considering the Bluebirds were rock bottom with confidence evaporated when he took over from Trollope, that is some achievement.

Could yet become the most popular manager in Cardiff City's history, eclipsing Eddie May from the 1990s.

Some would say he's already there.

Neil Warnock and Cardiff supporters are made for one another



*Win ratio figures from managerstats.co.uk
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Warnock top of the tree

He's the best of the lot in my opinion. He has everything: man management skills, tactical nous, faultless player assessment, ruthlessness, bargain hunting ability, enthusiasm, wit and charisma. What more would you want?

I can't judge Warnock yet based on such a short time at the club, he's only been here a matter of a few months. For me, the best I have seen is Jimmy Scoular and I also enjoyed the times under Eddie May. It could be that Warnock will be up there as well, too early to judge yet in my opinion but the signs are good.

I can't judge Warnock yet based on such a short time at the club, he's only been here a matter of a few months. For me, the best I have seen is Jimmy Scoular and I also enjoyed the times under Eddie May. It could be that Warnock will be up there as well, too early to judge yet in my opinion but the signs are good.

Good point. NW has been here only a short time and it is a bit unfair on the others such as Eddie May (my choice) to elevate him to the top spot.

That said I am sure he WILL become the best and most successful manager we have had providing he stays long enough and more importantly is backed financially.

DJ for me, gave us a lot of happiness for a long time. Loyal managers are few and far between nowadays.

Been following since 2009, obviously DJ led us to great times and he was a solid, loyal manager.
But only under Malky and Warnock have I felt this much excitement around the club, even with all the rebrand nonsense.

So it's Malky and Warnock for me!

For me a case could certainly be made for Jimmy Scoular, although he was so grumpy he made Dave Jones look like one of the Chuckle Brothers.

However I have to go for Malky - the only manager (so far!) in my lifetime to get us promoted to the top league. I'll never forget that promotion season and that night against Charlton. All the stuff that came afterwards left a very bitter taste in the mouth but for the achievement of getting promoted, it's Malky for me.

Warnock however is a VERY close second and could even surpass Malky with a good season next year which may turn out to be even more of an achievement than Malky because it will have been done without the benefit of the financial backing given to Malky. Remember Malky was able to sign Fraizer Campbell in the January window and his goals certainly helped us get over the line.

I'm sure Warnock would love to have been able to sign someone like Fraizer this January - let's hope he can find a gem in the summer.

So Malky first, Warnock second and Scoular third.

Dj lol .no trophys no promotions but fair play some are easily satisfied.

Dj lol .no trophys no promotions but fair play some are easily satisfied.

To be fair that would rule most managers out of the running. In the 50 years I've been following the club, apart from one promotion the only other thing we have ever won is the Welsh cup, and back in those days that was'nt difficult, we were miles ahead of everyone else. At least under Scoular, we were able to compete and push for promotion to the top division, and had some great European nights as well. The only trophies he picked up though were the Welsh cups. I think a lot depends on how long you have been supporting the club, I expect there are a lot of managers who are particular favourites with certain fans.

Jimmy Scoular and Jimmy Andrews were my favourite managers.

Warnock for me with Malky a close (very close) second

Haleliwia Jimmy Jimmy Scouler for me. Followed by Neil Warnock. If he gets promotion next year (a very big IF) THEN PLACINGS WOULD BE REVERSED.
(Worst Chairman prob Sam Hamman but there have been a few others equally as bad over the years.)

where are the two great Jimmy's? Andrews and scoular - 60,s and 70's GOLD

Who has been your favourite Bluebirds boss?

Perhaps it's just me but I am absolutely astonished how anyone can say Neil Warnock

Above Malky, May, Jones and all those before them and all they brought us, people really putting Warnock above all that after 5 months