Joe Ralls: I've always respected Sol and that hasn't changed
Joe Ralls is delighted with the return of his old team-mate Sol Bamba on the coaching staff and says the new assistant manager commands respect within the dressing room.
Bluebirds fans' favourite Bamba is Sabri Lamouchi's No.2 at Cardiff City Stadium, a move which has been roundly welcomed by supporters.
Very few in this current squad will have played with Bamba, but Ralls, of course, certainly has. And the City skipper believes he has played a part in Cardiff's recent turnaround in fortunes.
JOE RALLS:
"It's been good having him around the building, he has got a big personality. He has been a great player here and was a great team-mate for me," Ralls said.
"So, to have him in a coaching capacity has been really good. He has come in with the manager and had a big impact on the team.
"I've always had respect for him. He was a senior player here when I was playing with him, nothing has changed in that respect."
Bamba has always been earmarked as manager material in recent years, even when Neil Warnock was here the old gaffer would put forward that theory.
He is only in the infancy of his coaching career, of course, with this being his first job in the dugout, but many believe he has a bright future in management ahead of him.
Ralls assured, though, that Bamba's focus is simply on the job at hand this season.
"I've not experienced him as a coach, but he has always had that senior role and someone who has spoken when something needed to be said. He'll have that role here," Ralls added.
"When the manager has finished speaking he will always have his input. I think the dynamic is working really well and he is enjoying it.
"I'm not sure what Sol's plans are, he is young in his coaching career, he's learning and picking things up from the manager which will stand him in good stead for the future.
"He's obviously got a job here for us at the minute and I'm sure that's all he'll be focused on."
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.