The power structure at Cardiff City: Who's who and what they actually doBy Glen WilliamsCardiff City are still settling into life back in the Championship following their relegation from English football's top flight last year.
Neil Warnock is entering what he says is his final season as a football manager and his goal remains unchanged – he wants to get the Bluebirds back in the big time.
However, he will not be able to do that on his own and there are dozens working behind the scenes to help ensure Cardiff return to the top echelon of English football as quickly as possible.
Firstly, let's start at the very top.
EXECUTIVEThe man at the top of the tree is obviously the owner, Vincent Tan. The Malaysian businessman acquired the club nine years ago, but has courted much controversy during his tenure.
He has since admitted that he made a mistake when he changed the Bluebirds' home kit from blue to red, which has gone a long way to endearing himself to City fans once again.
Despite the rocky road which has led us to where we are today, he has overseen two promotions to the Premier League and has been at the helm for one of the most, if not the most, successful periods of Cardiff City's history.
The key men behind the transfer dealings are executive chairman
Mehmet Dalman and executive director and CEO . These are the two who harbour much control over the purse strings and are largely responsible for communication with Warnock over transfer strategy.
In a recent interview with WalesOnline, Dalman said City spent nigh on £20m in this most recent transfer window and believes the money currently being thrown about in the Championship is
"silly", but is insistent the Bluebirds can keep pace with most teams in the division.
Steve Borley is an executive director at Cardiff City. Borley is a managing director of Cardiff-based engineering company CMB Engineering and was a key player in the construction of Cardiff City House of Sport.
And then there are the
non-executive board members. There is Cardiff-born entrepreneur
Datuk Marco Ronaldo Mario Caramella, whose primary task is to bridge the Bluebirds and his country of residence, Malaysia; 61-year-old Malaysian
Derek Chee Seng Chin and
Ronald Issen, who also presides on the board of City's sister club KV Kortrijk in Belgium.
Cardiff City's executive staffOwner – Vincent Tan
Executive Chairman – Mehmet Dalman
CEO – Ken Choo
Executive director – Steve Borley
Non-executive board members – Derek Seng Chin, Datuk Marco Ronaldo, Mario Caramella and Ronald Issen
FOOTBALLSo, on the pitch and the training ground, the operation is obviously headed by manager
Neil Warnock. The Bluebirds boss is hoping to earn his ninth career promotion this term and has a host of trusted lieutenants hoping to make that happen.
Assistant manager
Kevin Blackwell and first-team coach
Ronnie Jepson are permanent fixtures on the sidelines and in the dugout alongside Warnock, while coach
James Rowberry and goalkeeping coach
Andy Dibble also play major roles in first-team proceedings.
Helping to supplement the talent currently on show in the Welsh capital is
Glyn Chamberlain, who is the club's chief scout and plays a major role on the recruitment side of things. He joined the club in February 2017, shortly after Warnock arrived, after undertaking a similar role at Burnley for four years.
As is the modern way, the Bluebirds are well stocked with eagle-eyed analysts who are tasked with fine tuning the team's preparation as well as offering insight from the stands during the game.
Jack Radusin,
Patrick Deboys and
Josh Morris are the men behind the analysis.
No backroom staff is complete without the medical and fitness entourage.
Matthew May heads up the medical services, while club doctor
Len Nokes plays a key role when it comes to player welfare, so much so that he won the
'Outstanding Contribution Award' when the Bluebirds were promoted in the 2017-18 season.
Then there is the physio team.
James Rowland is the club's senior physiotherapist alongside first-team physio
Adrian Littlejohn, while
Luke Walker is employed as the soft tissue specialist, all of whom are vital for the players' rehabilitation.
And when it comes to getting the players to their peak, look no further than fitness and conditioning duo
Carl Serrant and
Lee Southernwood who both work closely with strength and conditioning coach
Mike Beere and sports scientist
Ben Parry.
Kit manager
Paul Carter and groundsman
Roy Evans both undertake important roles at Cardiff City Stadium, while football management PA
Victoria McCracken ensures the whole operation runs smoothly.
Cardiff City footballing staffManager – Neil Warnock
Assistant – Kevin Blackwell
First-team coach – Ronnie Jepson
Coach – James Rowberry
Goalkeeping coach – Andy Dibble
Head scout – Glyn Chamberlain
First-team performance analysts – Jack Radusin, Patrick Deboys and Josh Morris
Head of medical services – Matthew May
Club doctor – Len Noakes
Senior physiotherapist – James Rowland
First-team physiotherapist – Adrian Littlejohn
Soft tissue specialist – Luke Walker
Heads of fitness and conditioning – Carl Serrant and Lee Southernwood
Strength and conditioning coach – Mike Beere
Sports scientist – Ben Parry
Football management PA – Victoria McCracken
Kit manager – Paul Carter (assisted by David Bush)
Groundsman – Roy Evans
YOUTHAt the top of the youth set-up is academy manager
James McCarthy, who has been involved with the club for 19 years this month. He became an academy coach in September 2000 before being elevated to assistant academy manager in 2013. Just a year later he took the top job.
With regards to the age-grade sides,
Jarred Harvey and
Andy Legg are the men tasked with leading the under-23 development squad while
Matthew Bloxham has the duties for the under-18 team after Craig Bellamy this summer left to link up with former Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany and become Anderlecht Under-21s boss.
Head of coaching
Tom Ramasut, academy operations manager
Gavin Reen and education and welfare manager
Steve Ellis also play pivotal roles with the next generation.
It is also understood that goalkeeper
Brian Murphy, who recently signed a four-month deal with the club, is helping out with the keepers in the academy.
In the more formative years of promising talent,
Dane Facey (ages 12-16) and
Lawrence Hallett (ages 9-11) take charge of the coaching.
Cardiff City's youth-team staffAcademy manager – James McCarthy
Under-23s coaches – Andy Legg and Jarred Harvey
Under-18s coach – Matthew Bloxham
Head of coaching – Tom Ramasut
Academy operations manager – Gavin Reen
Education and welfare manager – Steve Ellis
Lead development coach (ages 12-16) – Dane Facey
Lead foundation coach (ages 9-11) – Lawrence Hallett
And behind the scenes...Away from matters on the pitch, there is a whole army of people who are vital in keeping the cogs running in the bowels of Cardiff City Stadium and at the club's Vale Resort training base.
They range from the club's secretary
Michelle McDonald to the media team which is spearheaded by head of TV and video
Jamie De Cruz and head of communications
Mark Denham.
Head of HR
Dawn Williamson, head of retail
Clare Scarth, head of ticketing
Mona Sabbuda, head of operations
Wayne Nash, head of commercial
Nic Heslop, financial controller
Charlotte Latham, finance director
Philip Jenkins , international development manager
Joel Hutton, head of commercial
Nic Heslop, safeguarding manager
Rob Cronick and head of fan engagement
Amy James are among those on the executive management team who play crucial roles within the club.
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