Mick McCarthy is set to return to the Championship as manager of Cardiff City, after the sacking of Neil Harris earlier this week.
Six consecutive defeats have seen Cardiff fall to 15th in the Championship table, ten places below fifth place – where they finished last season.
Ex-Ipswich Town and Sunderland boss McCarthy was sacked by Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia earlier this month after only six weeks in charge, following a string of poor results.
McCarthy last managed Ipswich Town in the Championship during the 2018/19 season.
The highlight of McCarthy’s reign was a 6th place finish during the 2014/15 season – which ultimately ended with defeat to local rivals Norwich City 4-2 on aggregate in the Championship playoff semi-finals.
McCarthy’s tenure at Portman Road ended abruptly after the relationship between McCarthy and the supporters soured.
The Bluebirds have opted for another experienced Championship operator, following the departure of current Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock from the club in November 2019.
Warnock, who led Cardiff to promotion during the 2017/18 season, has told the press that McCarthy – a personal friend of his – will “enjoy” the job and that Cardiff is a “good place.”
“I hear Mick McCarthy has got the job,” he said. “I hope he has. A big mate of mine is Mick and he’ll enjoy it. Said Warnock.
“To come back from Cyprus after a six-week holiday there, got the sack and now he’s in a good place in Wales.”
Cardiff defender Sol Bamba has sung McCarthy’s praises claiming his “experience” will help restore the team’s “confidence.”
“At this level we all know that experience is massive,” Bamba told The Football Show.
“You need to know the league inside out. I think if it is Mick McCarthy, he knows the league very well. He has proven at this level that he can be very, very good.
“I think we need someone to come and put the smiles back on our faces and give confidence back to the players, because you can see at the minute that the whole team is low on confidence.
“He’s got experience, I believe he can come and do that. So hopefully, if he got the job, he can come in and start changing the results.”
Bamba, 36, has already developed a relationship with McCarthy off the pitch and believes that he will be able to learn from McCarthy as the former Leeds man looks to forge his own management career.
“I know Mick from outside football, we’ve been in touch. He’s a good man and has always given me good advice,” added Bamba.
“If it was him, I’m sure he will help me develop and get better for me to become a manager. But the main thing for me at the minute is Cardiff City.
“Nobody is above the club. I feel bad and sad when I see the club in this position. We should be higher but the table never lies, so it’s up to us to get back on the training pitch with the new manager and start turning things around.”
