Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock could be the first Premier League manager sacked this season. The Bluebirds currently sit second from bottom in the Premier League with just two points. Leading sportsbooks have placed Warnock as one of the favourites to go first this term alongside Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho.
Neil Warnock and Cardiff City love affair nearly over
After successfully gaining promotion with Cardiff last season, Warnock’s time as the team’s manager could end soon. Cardiff are one of three Premier League teams without a win this term. The Bluebirds have scored just three goals while allowing 14.
Saturday’s 5-0 beating at the hands of Manchester City saw the team “punished” by a better club. It was the fourth time Cardiff had given up two or more goals in a game this season and the third straight in which they had given up three or more. Cardiff’s rock solid defence from a season ago hasn’t translated to the Premier League.
Frustrating for Cardiff has been the lack of production from their two most expensive summer transfers. Josh Murphy arrived from Norwich City for £11 million while Bobby Reid signed from Bristol City for £10m. Neither has scored nor contributed an assist. Murphy has started just two matches while Reid has started four times. The former has been experiencing injuries along with a host of other Cardiff players.
Warnock’s summer transfer dealings seemed to be based on buying players with potential over proven quantities. So far, it looks to have failed. But the good news is, those Championship quality signings could work out next season if Cardiff are back in the Championship.
Will Neil Warnock make it to October?
To blame Cardiff’s poor results solely on Warnock would be a mistake. The team’s individual play hasn’t been good enough and Cardiff — despite spending £21m on Murphy and Reid — have one of the weakest sides in the Premier League.
Murphy and Reid had success in the Championship. In Reid’s case, he had one outstanding season scoring goals. That came last term with Bristol City. He tallied 21 goals in 52 games in all competitions. His best return prior to that was four goals in all competitions. Expecting Reid to continue his form from last season was a mistake.
Cardiff are already out of the EFL Cup and will resume play at the weekend against Burnley. Three weeks ago, Cardiff would have fancied their chances to get a first win of the season against Burnley. However, Burnley are out of the Europa League and now firmly focused on their domestic campaign. This was evidenced on Saturday during the team’s throttling of Bournemouth. Warnock’s battered defence will not want to see another two-plus goal game, but Burnley look likely to attack from the start.
Vincent Tan and Neil Warnock
Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has overseen the club since 2010. It has been a strange period under his ownership that even saw the team change its badge and colour scheme before reverting back to its traditional look. Warnock is the ninth manager to work under the Tan regime. Dave Jones, Malky Mackay, David Kerslake, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Danny Gabbidon, Scott Young, Russell Slade, and Paul Trollope all managed the club before Warnock’s arrival.
Warnock took over in October 2016, but Tan won’t get sentimental over sacking the manager. Tan will want to remain in the Premier League and continue receiving the riches that top-flight English football offer. If Warnock and Cardiff cannot win against Burnley, his time in Wales may be over.