MICK McCarthy has been parachuted in to save Cardiff’s season.
The former Republic of Ireland boss will take charge until the end of the campaign after the Bluebirds sacked Neil Harris following a run of six straight defeats.
Mick McCarthy is taking over Cardiff until the end of the seasonCredit: Reuters
McCarthy said: “I’m delighted to be here. I’m thrilled by the opportunity.
“I want to get the club back to winning games and I want to get smiles back on the players’ faces. If we do that, then we’ll get smiles back on the fans’ faces.
“We’ve got a good squad of players and I’m looking forward to getting down to work.”
Harris paid the price for Cardiff’s shocking form with the Welsh side in 15th place in the Championship.
They reached the play-offs under Harris’ guidance last season.
Cardiff believe the experience of McCarthy, 61, will steady the ship before they look to make a long-term appointment this summer but the appointment is unpopular with their fans.
Cardiff defender Bamba, who won’t play for McCarthy after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, said: “At this level, we all know experience is massive. He knows the league very well.
“He’s proved at this level he can be very good. We need someone who can come in and put a smile back on our faces and give confidence.
CASINO DEALS: BEST SIGN UP OFFERS TO CLAIM OVER £700
“At the moment, you can see clearly that the whole team is low on confidence. He’s got experience and if he got the job then hopefully he can come in and change results.”
McCarthy, who has also managed Sunderland, Wolves and Ipswich, has a big job on his hands to improve a Cardiff squad devoid of confidence.
He left Cypriot side Apoel earlier this month.
McCarthy will be backed in the January transfer window if he feels he needs new players despite cash-strapped Cardiff’s limited resources.
Harris left Cardiff with immediate effect on Thursday and less than 24 hours after a 1-0 home defeat by QPR which proved to be the final straw for owner Vincent Tan.
And Harris’ predecessor Neil Warnock rubbed salt in the wound after his departure.
Warnock guided Cardiff to the Premier League in 2018, but wasn’t happy at Harris’ comments when he took the job.
Warnock said: “I didn’t say too much while Neil was there, but I thought one or two of the comments he made when he first got the job were a little bit detrimental to me – ‘I’ve got to change the mindsets of these players, they’ve been used to playing one particular way’.
“What’s that? Winning? There’s nothing wrong with that. I thought it was a bit disrespectful, if I’m honest. Mick is a big mate of mine, he’ll enjoy it. He’s come back from Cyprus, had six weeks holiday there, and now he’s in a good place in Wales, I hope. That’s not bad.
“Cardiff was very good for me because Cardiff were in a mess when I went there and we ended up going to the Premier League with a team that nobody thought could do.
“I’ve got great, great memories there.”
Neil Warnock guided Cardiff to promotion in 2018Credit: Getty
Neil Warnock leaves fans in hysterics as Cardiff boss stares into TV camera
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
