Sol Bamba sends clear message to Cardiff City over Erol Bulut

Cardiff City favourite Sol Bamba believes his old club have a good one in Erol Bulut amid a fast-approaching contract decision. The Bluebirds have enjoyed a solid season under Bulut this term, defying expectations to climb their way into the top half, on the edge of playoff contention.

Bulut was not expected to achieve much at all in his first season in English football, taking over a below-par squad that had seen little investment over recent years. But the former Fenerbahce boss has worked well with what he has, even if it hasn’t always been plain sailing,

Still, Bulut has not yet been handed a new contract ahead of his current deal coming to an end after this season. That. according to former Cardiff defender and assistant boss Bamba, is something that needs addressing.

“I think they have found a good manager,” Bamba told the BBC. “Everyone says it and I can see from the way the team is playing that the players love him.

“If I could give advice to Cardiff it would be to tie him down, definitely. I think eventually they will and it would be the right thing to do because if you want to build anything, you have got to have consistency and a vision. I think if you give a manager one year, it’s always hard to have a vision. So hopefully he can sign a new deal and move forward.”

Speaking about City’s ambitions, Bamba added: “They had a very good start to the season, then it was a bit tough around November, December, but that’s the season isn’t it – it’s up and down.

“They have got a good manager, good players. Obviously I watched the derby and was very disappointed with that. But overall I think it’s a good season as long as you finish comfortable in mid-table because last season we fought against going down. So I think if you steady the ship this season and try to push on next year, that will be good for Cardiff.”