Cardiff start interviewing managerial candidates

Cardiff City are still hopeful of appointing a new manager by the end of May having started to interview candidates.

The Bluebirds have received more than 100 applications and whittled those down to a shortlist of around six, sources at the League One-bound club have told BBC Sport Wales.

Cardiff had three different managers as they were relegated from the Championship this season and are now looking for a ninth boss in four years.

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones, former Oxford United head coach Des Buckingham, recently sacked Hull City boss Ruben Selles and ex-Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt are among those who have been linked to the job.

But sources have ruled out former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard and ex-Rangers boss Michael Beale.

Cardiff are trialling a new process for this appointment, creating a sub-committee – including former Swansea City sporting director Mark Allen and a representative of the Wasserman agency – to compile a longlist and then shortlist of potential candidates.

Chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo have now started interviewing those contenders.

Club owner Vincent Tan, who has faced fierce criticism from Cardiff fans lately, will have the final say.

Dalman said earlier this month that he hopes to have the appointment confirmed by the end of May.

Liverpool legend Gerrard was loosely linked because he is available, a Wasserman client and worked with Allen at Rangers and Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.

But the former England captain is not a realistic option for Cardiff, who are also not considering ex-Queens Park Rangers boss Beale, who was linked with the Bluebirds in the past.

Jones, meanwhile, is a lifelong Cardiff fan and has spoken openly about his desire to manage the club one day, but he is currently preparing to lead Charlton in Sunday's League One play-off final against Leyton Orient.

The Welshman enjoyed two successful spells at Luton Town and, following disappointing stints at Stoke City and Southampton, has impressed at Charlton.

Cardiff interviewed Selles after sacking Erol Bulut this season, and the Spaniard could be under consideration again following his departure from Hull.

Buckingham, who got Oxford promoted to the Championship in 2024, is also out of work and was in the frame for the Wales job last year.

Evatt is another who is available having left Bolton this season, having previously led the club to promotion to League One.

Wales captain Aaron Ramsey was in charge for Cardiff's final three games of this season, having been made caretaker manager following the departure of Omer Riza.

Ramsey's contract with the Bluebirds expires this summer and has yet to decide on his future, whether that is as a player or manager.