' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 10:02 am
VINCENT TAN FLYING IN / MEHMET DALMAN & SABRI LAMOUCHI TO MEET IN LONDON NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE:
Tan and Lamouchi are yet to have met each other and have had no contact according to Lamouchi.
Next season, expectations should be lowered. Whether Lamouchi or someone else in charge. It should be a season of stability and staying in the Championship again.
By Glen Williams
Thursday 4th May 2023
By Glen Williams
After three years of battling to avoid relegation, Cardiff City can ill afford to go into the 2023/24 campaign on the back foot.
However, with the future of the Bluebirds coaching staff still uncertain, so many big decisions and considerations pertaining to the club's summer plans are stuck in limbo.
Cardiff have five senior players out of contract in June and three loan players leaving Kipre, Philogene and Kobra, with a number of academy players who are now 20 & 21 years old in the same position.
It is also understood that no plans for pre-season have yet been put into place.
Pre-season is such an important part of planning for the campaign ahead and the destination or even personnel for this summer's boot camp are yet to be decided. A growing concern among some inside the club who want to start next year with a bang, rather than undercooked.
And, perhaps most importantly, transfer planning is on ice. After a huge summer overhaul 17 new players, mainly free transfers 12 months ago, Cardiff are in need of more quality to their playing squad. The squad looked thin above that top layer of Championship quality and City were left plugging holes for a large chunk of the season.
When Sabri Lamouchi was asked in January if he achieved his goal of keeping Cardiff in the Championship, his unequivocal response was: "Absolutely!"
Having heard from Lamouchi over the last week following the Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town matches, and from sources within the club, we are led to believe the Frenchman's stance has not changed.
Lamouchi has on a number occasions asked the Hierarchy to update him on their future plans with no response.
At time of writing, though, there has been no formal offer tabled. However, it is understood that owner Vincent Tan is set to jet into London from Malaysia to conduct formal talks with Sabri Lamouchi and Mehmet Dalman next week regarding the next steps.
Mehmet Dalman said at the weekend that they have a new plan and that Lamouchi was understanding and even accommodating regarding the club's EFL transfer embargo that will remain unles the Sala fee is totally paid, which restricts them from paying a fee for players. Sources have also confirmed that to be the case in recent days.
Indeed, it is understood there are players already lined up to be brought in this summer on a free — and these are players who would immediately improve the starting XI — due to Lamouchi's contacts and the manager would like to act on those players if he is eventually tied down to a deal.
Players who play on these shores are usually sought after by a number of rivals, while the likes of Jamilu Collins and Sory Kaba, who came in from abroad, did so without much fanfare but immediately proved there is quality if the horizons are expanded. It is understood Lamouchi would tap into his continental contacts in order to acquire more quality if mandated to do so.
There will likely have to be concessions made when Lamouchi and Tan meet, however. The calibre of player Lamouchi, an undoubtedly ambitious manager, would want to bring in would likely exceed the fairly meagre player salary cap the club introduced a year ago as they attempted to lower running costs in the face of financial adversity.
Tan and Lamouchi are yet to have met each other and have had no contact according to Lamouchi.
Next season, expectations should be lowered. Whether Lamouchi or someone else in charge. It should be a season of stability and staying in the Championship again.
By Glen Williams
Thursday 4th May 2023
By Glen Williams
After three years of battling to avoid relegation, Cardiff City can ill afford to go into the 2023/24 campaign on the back foot.
However, with the future of the Bluebirds coaching staff still uncertain, so many big decisions and considerations pertaining to the club's summer plans are stuck in limbo.
Cardiff have five senior players out of contract in June and three loan players leaving Kipre, Philogene and Kobra, with a number of academy players who are now 20 & 21 years old in the same position.
It is also understood that no plans for pre-season have yet been put into place.
Pre-season is such an important part of planning for the campaign ahead and the destination or even personnel for this summer's boot camp are yet to be decided. A growing concern among some inside the club who want to start next year with a bang, rather than undercooked.
And, perhaps most importantly, transfer planning is on ice. After a huge summer overhaul 17 new players, mainly free transfers 12 months ago, Cardiff are in need of more quality to their playing squad. The squad looked thin above that top layer of Championship quality and City were left plugging holes for a large chunk of the season.
When Sabri Lamouchi was asked in January if he achieved his goal of keeping Cardiff in the Championship, his unequivocal response was: "Absolutely!"
Having heard from Lamouchi over the last week following the Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town matches, and from sources within the club, we are led to believe the Frenchman's stance has not changed.
Lamouchi has on a number occasions asked the Hierarchy to update him on their future plans with no response.
At time of writing, though, there has been no formal offer tabled. However, it is understood that owner Vincent Tan is set to jet into London from Malaysia to conduct formal talks with Sabri Lamouchi and Mehmet Dalman next week regarding the next steps.
Mehmet Dalman said at the weekend that they have a new plan and that Lamouchi was understanding and even accommodating regarding the club's EFL transfer embargo that will remain unles the Sala fee is totally paid, which restricts them from paying a fee for players. Sources have also confirmed that to be the case in recent days.
Indeed, it is understood there are players already lined up to be brought in this summer on a free — and these are players who would immediately improve the starting XI — due to Lamouchi's contacts and the manager would like to act on those players if he is eventually tied down to a deal.
Players who play on these shores are usually sought after by a number of rivals, while the likes of Jamilu Collins and Sory Kaba, who came in from abroad, did so without much fanfare but immediately proved there is quality if the horizons are expanded. It is understood Lamouchi would tap into his continental contacts in order to acquire more quality if mandated to do so.
There will likely have to be concessions made when Lamouchi and Tan meet, however. The calibre of player Lamouchi, an undoubtedly ambitious manager, would want to bring in would likely exceed the fairly meagre player salary cap the club introduced a year ago as they attempted to lower running costs in the face of financial adversity.
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN '
Thu May 04, 2023 10:07 am
I would also proffer the school of thought that having eight managers in less than four years is hardly a recipe for success.
Another manager in the dugout is the last thing City need.
By Glen Williams
There are arguments to the contrary, of course. Some point to Lamouchi, Mark Hudson and Steve Morison having broadly similar points-per-game ratios this season and that is true. Although it does not tell the whole picture.
This was not Mark Hudsons or Lamouchi's squad; the two signings made shortly after Lamouchi's appointment were in the works before the Frenchman was appointed. Also, perhaps more importantly, he inherited a group of players whose confidence was through the floor, having not won a competitive football match in three months. The size of the task was greater than was perhaps billed when he took the reins.
Others also point to the style of football hardly being pleasing on the eye and that, too, is difficult to disprove. Although at that stage of the season, it was percentage football. It was taking minimal risks, trying to get the ball as far away from their own goal as possible and playing to their strengths with big, imposing strikers and bombing wing-backs.
It's not the style of football he has played elsewhere and he even admitted during his first press conference that it was about working with the tools he had and being pragmatic.
Quite what his plan for the young players and academy system.
With his sole focus being on first-team matters over the last few months, trying to get detailed answers over the progress of young players was tough going, but perhaps understandable. Expect that to be brought up in the meeting with Cardiff's owner, though.
Having spoken to sources close to the dressing room, the dynamic of having Lamouchi in charge as opposed to Hudson or Morison is also different. There is certainly more of a clearly-defined manager/player separation, which has been received well by many in the squad.
"He's been brilliant with me and the lads. Obviously I knew Sol (Bamba) well from before, but they've both come in and done the job. They've shown great enthusiasm to work, and have been brilliant on the training pitch," captain Joe Ralls said on Sunday. "Hopefully they can stay with us."
But a manager-type figure is what is needed to thrive at Cardiff. Think back to Dave Jones, Malky Mackay, Neil Warnock; big characters who are needed to manage the vastness of the club and its reach plus the often turbulent nature of it all, not to mention managing upwards with the owner and the board.
Coaches, for want of a better word, have tended not to succeed at Cardiff, for whatever reason. Big characters who are able to shoulder a weighty responsibility are needed and Lamouchi, at least in the few months we have seen him, seems unflustered by it all and is straight down the line whenever any question is asked of him.
For what it's worth, Dean Whitehead has also proved a welcome addition to this staff and sources have told WalesOnline they are grateful for just how conscious he is of fringe players and squad morale. While all fans know just how much Sol Bamba, a crucial cog in Lamouchi's wheel, brings to the club and the love he has for the fans. He just brings that extra morsel of connection between the supporters and the squad and that goes a long way.
Another manager in the dugout is the last thing City need.
By Glen Williams
There are arguments to the contrary, of course. Some point to Lamouchi, Mark Hudson and Steve Morison having broadly similar points-per-game ratios this season and that is true. Although it does not tell the whole picture.
This was not Mark Hudsons or Lamouchi's squad; the two signings made shortly after Lamouchi's appointment were in the works before the Frenchman was appointed. Also, perhaps more importantly, he inherited a group of players whose confidence was through the floor, having not won a competitive football match in three months. The size of the task was greater than was perhaps billed when he took the reins.
Others also point to the style of football hardly being pleasing on the eye and that, too, is difficult to disprove. Although at that stage of the season, it was percentage football. It was taking minimal risks, trying to get the ball as far away from their own goal as possible and playing to their strengths with big, imposing strikers and bombing wing-backs.
It's not the style of football he has played elsewhere and he even admitted during his first press conference that it was about working with the tools he had and being pragmatic.
Quite what his plan for the young players and academy system.
With his sole focus being on first-team matters over the last few months, trying to get detailed answers over the progress of young players was tough going, but perhaps understandable. Expect that to be brought up in the meeting with Cardiff's owner, though.
Having spoken to sources close to the dressing room, the dynamic of having Lamouchi in charge as opposed to Hudson or Morison is also different. There is certainly more of a clearly-defined manager/player separation, which has been received well by many in the squad.
"He's been brilliant with me and the lads. Obviously I knew Sol (Bamba) well from before, but they've both come in and done the job. They've shown great enthusiasm to work, and have been brilliant on the training pitch," captain Joe Ralls said on Sunday. "Hopefully they can stay with us."
But a manager-type figure is what is needed to thrive at Cardiff. Think back to Dave Jones, Malky Mackay, Neil Warnock; big characters who are needed to manage the vastness of the club and its reach plus the often turbulent nature of it all, not to mention managing upwards with the owner and the board.
Coaches, for want of a better word, have tended not to succeed at Cardiff, for whatever reason. Big characters who are able to shoulder a weighty responsibility are needed and Lamouchi, at least in the few months we have seen him, seems unflustered by it all and is straight down the line whenever any question is asked of him.
For what it's worth, Dean Whitehead has also proved a welcome addition to this staff and sources have told WalesOnline they are grateful for just how conscious he is of fringe players and squad morale. While all fans know just how much Sol Bamba, a crucial cog in Lamouchi's wheel, brings to the club and the love he has for the fans. He just brings that extra morsel of connection between the supporters and the squad and that goes a long way.
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN '
Thu May 04, 2023 10:13 am
Next season, expectations should be lowered. Whether Lamouchi or someone else in charge.
It should be a season of stability and staying in the Championship again, with the top six being a bonus, rather than a yardstick by which managers are measured in order to determine whether they are sacked or not. If Cardiff cannot fund a promotion-winning squad then they have to stop expecting promotion, it's really as simple as that.
By Glen Williams
That is not to say that next year cannot be a season which builds the foundations for a promotion push the year after, perhaps, but it's difficult for a manager to navigate through a period of poor results when the ambitions are unfairly high and are disproportionate to the investment which has been put into the squad.
But, who knows, Cardiff might spring a surprise. There is that perennial hope before every season: 'This is our year.' And it might be. But it should be a pleasant surprise rather than expectation in the club's current state. The realistic goal is for a top-half finish, with perhaps play-offs if recruitment is good, the manager can get a tune out of them and a bit of luck drops their way, too.
None of that is likely to happen, though, if Cardiff are caught on the hop. They cannot chip into the summer any more and must nail down their coaching staff and plan for next season. Their rivals are already making phone calls and are ready to pull the trigger on their own squad rebuilds for next season, so time is of the essence for Cardiff, with Lamouchi having just one more game, Burnley away on Monday, on his current deal.
Lamouchi has fairly enough to earn a shot at getting this right. He has said on more than one occasion he is happy to be at the club and for the vast majority of fans, the feeling is mutual. Get the deal sewn up and give him the time and tools, within reason, to make meaningful progress next season.
It should be a season of stability and staying in the Championship again, with the top six being a bonus, rather than a yardstick by which managers are measured in order to determine whether they are sacked or not. If Cardiff cannot fund a promotion-winning squad then they have to stop expecting promotion, it's really as simple as that.
By Glen Williams
That is not to say that next year cannot be a season which builds the foundations for a promotion push the year after, perhaps, but it's difficult for a manager to navigate through a period of poor results when the ambitions are unfairly high and are disproportionate to the investment which has been put into the squad.
But, who knows, Cardiff might spring a surprise. There is that perennial hope before every season: 'This is our year.' And it might be. But it should be a pleasant surprise rather than expectation in the club's current state. The realistic goal is for a top-half finish, with perhaps play-offs if recruitment is good, the manager can get a tune out of them and a bit of luck drops their way, too.
None of that is likely to happen, though, if Cardiff are caught on the hop. They cannot chip into the summer any more and must nail down their coaching staff and plan for next season. Their rivals are already making phone calls and are ready to pull the trigger on their own squad rebuilds for next season, so time is of the essence for Cardiff, with Lamouchi having just one more game, Burnley away on Monday, on his current deal.
Lamouchi has fairly enough to earn a shot at getting this right. He has said on more than one occasion he is happy to be at the club and for the vast majority of fans, the feeling is mutual. Get the deal sewn up and give him the time and tools, within reason, to make meaningful progress next season.
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 10:54 am
Reply Fb:
Paul Driscoll
Don't think we can hold much hope of getting the Embargo's lifted. They have had ex amount of years to sort it. Plus reading on whats been said that the hierachi have been trying to find out if they are under embargo or not is something i find extraordinary. They should know and it shows how incompetent they are! we need football people in!
Lamouchi will probs sign. but will be told just like previous managers no cash or investment Sorry. just sign bargain basement freebie or unatatched signings and cut more from the team.
Paul Driscoll
Don't think we can hold much hope of getting the Embargo's lifted. They have had ex amount of years to sort it. Plus reading on whats been said that the hierachi have been trying to find out if they are under embargo or not is something i find extraordinary. They should know and it shows how incompetent they are! we need football people in!
Lamouchi will probs sign. but will be told just like previous managers no cash or investment Sorry. just sign bargain basement freebie or unatatched signings and cut more from the team.
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 10:55 am
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 10:56 am
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 10:56 am
Reply Twitter:
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 11:53 am
So already getting the excuses in, reinforces that VT just wants us to stay afloat as a championship club
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 12:00 pm
Pitchforks at the ready. 
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 12:20 pm
We just need to get the recruitment right - that’s our biggest problem - get that right and everything else falls into place . It hasn’t been right for a long time and needs to be sorted out asap
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 12:31 pm
Could have almost been written by Dalman himself.
The clear message is that as fans our club's ambition next season can be limited to just staying in the division
Unless by some miracle we manage to fluke our way into the play offs somehow.
Can't see that sort of thing selling many season tickets.
The clear message is that as fans our club's ambition next season can be limited to just staying in the division
Unless by some miracle we manage to fluke our way into the play offs somehow.
Can't see that sort of thing selling many season tickets.
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 12:33 pm
TaxiBlue wrote:We just need to get the recruitment right - that’s our biggest problem - get that right and everything else falls into place . It hasn’t been right for a long time and needs to be sorted out asap
We've managed to get some excellent loans over the last couple of seasons but most of the players signed have turned out to be lower Championship standard at best.
Need to be as successful with permanent signings as they've been with loans.
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Thu May 04, 2023 2:40 pm
Flying in to lay down the law as he see's it
and there won' t be much listening from him
from lamouchi
its still his toy
Without paying the sala money he knows he does not have to spend big and so it continues the bare minimum
If he turns everything on its head pays up and tells lamouchi hears 20 million i will but my mate a season ticket
But we can all see whats coming after dalhman layed the foudations down a few days ago.
and there won' t be much listening from him
from lamouchi
its still his toy
Without paying the sala money he knows he does not have to spend big and so it continues the bare minimum
If he turns everything on its head pays up and tells lamouchi hears 20 million i will but my mate a season ticket
But we can all see whats coming after dalhman layed the foudations down a few days ago.
Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Fri May 05, 2023 5:46 am
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Fri May 05, 2023 5:52 am
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Re: ' VINCENT TAN FINALLY FLYING IN / NEW PLANS ‘
Fri May 05, 2023 8:15 am
Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has rejected bids from Bournemouth and Burnley bosses to buy his Belgian team KV Kortrijk, but reports suggest his preference would be to sell the club.
Tan, who took over the Jupiler Pro League in 2015, has been fighting fires at both Cardiff and Kortrijk this season, with both teams battling against relegation. The two teams are now safe in their respective leagues – the Championship and Belgian top flight.
However, the last week has seen Kortrijk endure turmoil, with chairman Ronny Verhelst and general manager Matthias Leterme both announcing they would leave the club, citing an "unreasonable attitude" from their Malaysian owner as one of the deciding factors, according to Flemmish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
READ MORE: The big positives Cardiff City can look to ahead of another major summer rebuild
The team's manager, Bernd Storck, had already left the club, leaving Kortrijk without a number of senior figures ahead of what looks like a huge summer restructure.
The report adds that Tan would prefer to sell the club, which he purchased for around €5million eight years ago. And there has been interest, too.
Het Nieuwsblad claim Premier League side Bournemouth and Premier League-bound Burnley have both seen bids knocked back by Cardiff owner Tan and that the asking price for the sale of the club has risen from €12m (£10.5m) to €17.5m (£15.3m). The report states that Bournemouth were put off by the infrastructure and Burnley's interest cooled because the price was pushed up.
With the club clearly mired in uncertainty, KVK supporters are understandably concerned about the future of their team.
Cardiff CEO Ken Choo, who holds the same post at Kortrijk, told Het Nieuwsblad: “I get a lot of calls from Belgium. I can reassure everyone: everything will be fine.
“In the near future I will return to Belgium and I will clarify.”
While reports in Belgium state that Tan is actively looking to sell up at Kortrijk, Cardiff remains the jewel in his football empire, which also includes FK Sarajevo, who are a respectable third in the Bosnia and Herzegovina top flight.
As recently as this week, Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman reiterated Tan's commitment to Cardiff and brushed aside any notion that the owner would look to countenance a sale soon.
"I'm not Vincent Tan, so I can't speak for him," said Dalman. "But what I can tell you is he continues to support this club, writes the cheques. Every year people ask me whether he is still committed to Cardiff City and I do wonder why they do that because the answer is always the same.
"He is 100 per cent on board from what I see. We know we still have work to do here, although at least the horrible pressure of looking down towards League One has gone. What we need to do is ensure this doesn't happen again."
Tan is expected to fly into the UK this weekend to hold talks with manager Sabri Lamouchi about his future, with the Frenchman's contract set to expire after Monday's game with Burnley.
Tan, who took over the Jupiler Pro League in 2015, has been fighting fires at both Cardiff and Kortrijk this season, with both teams battling against relegation. The two teams are now safe in their respective leagues – the Championship and Belgian top flight.
However, the last week has seen Kortrijk endure turmoil, with chairman Ronny Verhelst and general manager Matthias Leterme both announcing they would leave the club, citing an "unreasonable attitude" from their Malaysian owner as one of the deciding factors, according to Flemmish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
READ MORE: The big positives Cardiff City can look to ahead of another major summer rebuild
The team's manager, Bernd Storck, had already left the club, leaving Kortrijk without a number of senior figures ahead of what looks like a huge summer restructure.
The report adds that Tan would prefer to sell the club, which he purchased for around €5million eight years ago. And there has been interest, too.
Het Nieuwsblad claim Premier League side Bournemouth and Premier League-bound Burnley have both seen bids knocked back by Cardiff owner Tan and that the asking price for the sale of the club has risen from €12m (£10.5m) to €17.5m (£15.3m). The report states that Bournemouth were put off by the infrastructure and Burnley's interest cooled because the price was pushed up.
With the club clearly mired in uncertainty, KVK supporters are understandably concerned about the future of their team.
Cardiff CEO Ken Choo, who holds the same post at Kortrijk, told Het Nieuwsblad: “I get a lot of calls from Belgium. I can reassure everyone: everything will be fine.
“In the near future I will return to Belgium and I will clarify.”
While reports in Belgium state that Tan is actively looking to sell up at Kortrijk, Cardiff remains the jewel in his football empire, which also includes FK Sarajevo, who are a respectable third in the Bosnia and Herzegovina top flight.
As recently as this week, Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman reiterated Tan's commitment to Cardiff and brushed aside any notion that the owner would look to countenance a sale soon.
"I'm not Vincent Tan, so I can't speak for him," said Dalman. "But what I can tell you is he continues to support this club, writes the cheques. Every year people ask me whether he is still committed to Cardiff City and I do wonder why they do that because the answer is always the same.
"He is 100 per cent on board from what I see. We know we still have work to do here, although at least the horrible pressure of looking down towards League One has gone. What we need to do is ensure this doesn't happen again."
Tan is expected to fly into the UK this weekend to hold talks with manager Sabri Lamouchi about his future, with the Frenchman's contract set to expire after Monday's game with Burnley.