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Cardiff City are still on the lookout for a new manager following Omer Riza’s sacking in April, but they are slowly coming to a conclusion in their hunt.
With Aaron Ramsey heading to Mexico to play for Pumas, Vincent Tan has narrowed down his search for a new head coach after Riza struggled to lift the Bluebirds following a poor start to last season. The Welsh club were eventually relegated to League One – a division that provides a different challenge.
Nathan Jones was also targeted by Cardiff, but after signing a new five-year contract at Charlton Athletic, it is clear to see where his loyalties lie.
The longer the hunt for a new manager goes on in CF11 however, the tougher it becomes for the club to hold onto their star players and those who have plenty of potential will be targeted. Now, the Bluebirds will be looking to ensure that they can keep a young ace in South Wales after the latest development in his career.
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Cardiff City must ensure that they do not lose Dylan Lawlor this summer
Dylan Lawlor made his debut for Cardiff in January, playing 81 minutes of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup. He made his Championship debut a few months later, on the final day of the campaign, and it is clear that he is one to watch going forward.
The centre-back is just 19, yet he has now been called up for Wales’ senior team for their World Cup Qualifier against Belgium on Monday evening, as the Dragons look to maintain their unbeaten run in the competition so far.
It’s an extremely exciting opportunity for the teenager, but it also puts his name out there for other clubs to see on a huge platform which could cause some worry with the transfer window set to close for the first time this summer in a matter of days.
Lawlor is definitely one for the future, but with League One football on the cards next season, he may look for a route out of Cardiff so as to maintain his new-found place in his national team’s senior side.
This summer will be busy for the Bluebirds
Relegation always sees a natural turnover in football as clubs try to lower their wage bill in preparation for playing in a lower division, and that will be no different for Cardiff.
Callum Robinson has already been targeted by Wrexham, and Rubin Colwill may also have clubs interested in him despite a difficult campaign.
Cardiff supporters were rightfully angry following relegation, and next season will be an opportunity for a full reset following a difficult few years that saw the club slide closer to danger. Nevertheless, there is now a need to protect the next generation of players in the Welsh capital, and that includes Lawlor whose future is very bright.