Cardiff City are preparing for life in the third tier of English football for the first time in 12 years and head down a division without a manager.
After Wales legend, Aaron Ramsey held down the interim position at the end of the season, a permanent name is yet to be appointed with reports saying the shortlist is down to just three names.
Ian Evatt
Current favourite in the bookmaker world, Ian Evatt appears at the top of the shortlist.
Beginning his full-time managerial career at then non-league Barrow, he created an attacking, possession-based side that was running away with the National League title in 2019-20 before COVID cut the season short.
Barrow would be promoted on points-per-game, but Evatt would depart to join Bolton, who had just been relegated to League Two.
From here, the manager would deliver promotion back to League One at the first attempt, despite a rocky start. After first season triumph, Evatt would continue to improve the sides league position year in, year out, even adding a EFL Trophy to the side’s cabinet.
Ian Evatt’s Record at Bolton Wanderers
| Played | Win | Draw | Loss | WP% |
| 261 | 130 | 58 | 73 | 49.81 |
Ultimately Evatt would not be able to complete the goal of a second promotion at Wanderers, failing in two playoff runs that culminated in the manager being criticised for faltering in big games and failing to be flexible with his tactics.
Should he be appointed, Evatt would head to Wales with a strong record in League One, yet a point to prove when it comes to promotion from this league.
Des Buckingham
The man who stopped Evatt from getting that promotion in last year’s League One playoff final is the second name on the shortlist, Des Buckingham.
Buckingham has been a free agent since Oxford United chose to move on from him during the season.
The 40-year-old began his coaching career at Oxford, before earning his first full-time gig in New Zealand with Wellington Pheonix, albeit under the interim tag.
After a brief trip home as an assistant, Buckingham returned to the southern hemisphere with New Zealand football, coaching at various levels. In 2020, he moved across to Australia with Melbourne City before finally becoming a permanent manager with the team’s sister club, Mumbai City.
After three successful seasons in India, boyhood club Oxford United came calling again, and Buckingham obliged.
After picking up a team that had fallen out of form following Liam Manning’s departure to Bristol City, Buckingham helped the team charge to the playoff final, where they would defeat Bolton Wanderers 2-0.
After some indifferent form in the Championship, the manager was relieved of his duties in a move that eventually saw Oxford stay up.
Whilst Buckingham would come with less experience than Evatt, he does already have a promotion from the league under his belt, alongside more tactical flexibility, something that helped United on that playoff run.
Aaron Ramsey
Current interim manager, Aaron Ramsey has reportedly already been in communication with the club over the permanent job, making him the final name on the shortlist.
Welsh legend Ramsay began his career with Cardiff before heading onto Arsenal, where he would spend the majority of his playing days.
After a spell at Juventus and Nice, the now 34-year-old returned to his boyhood club in 2023. Injuries have plagued his third spell at the club so far, with questions looming over his retirement.
After the sacking of Omer Riza late in the season, Ramsay was put in as interim boss but failed to win any of his three games in charge following the club’s relegation.
The midfielder has stated that he would be open to the permanent job but if offered, it would mark the end of his playing career, opting not to continue as a player-manager.
Ramsay is an outside shot in the final three but appointing a hometown could help to repair fractured relationships with the fans.
The club is interviewing candidates this week, with a view to making an appointment before the start of June.
