Joe Ledley: Ex-Celtic Boss Would Be "Brilliant" Candidate For Cardiff Job

Former Celtic and Wales midfielder Joe Ledley believes his former Hoops boss Neil Lennon would be a "brilliant" choice to take charge at Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds are still in search of a permanent successor to Erol Bulut, who was dismissed at the end of September, with Omer Riza currently serving as interim manager and doing an impressive job. 

However, Cardiff remain in the relegation zone, seemingly without a clear long-term plan when it comes to their next permanent boss.

Ledley, a former Cardiff City academy graduate, feels Lennon would fit the profile of a manager capable of achieving success in south Wales, though he also acknowledges that Riza deserves more time in the dugout to showcase his abilities.

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In an exclusive interview with Gambling.com, Ledley said: "Neil Lennon. I think he would be brilliant there [at Cardiff City]. With his man-management skills, and the way he wants his players to fight for the club and fight for the jersey.

"I haven't seen that there for a long, long time at Cardiff. I know Lenny and the way he can play will be exactly the same as other managers.

"I'd just like to see that fight from the players and that togetherness. I haven't seen it since probably when (Neil) Warnock was at Cardiff. So I'm going to say Neil Lennon, whether he wants it, I don't know.

"I think at the moment it's right for the club to give Omer Riza a bit more time, maybe a few more games. It's the international break, so the club can have a little bit more time to think about it."

Lennon managed Celtic across two separate stints, from 2010-2014 and again from 2019-2021, but has been without a job since parting ways with Romanian side Rapid Bucuresti in August after a brief three-month tenure.

Despite being in the relegation zone as of now, Cardiff have shown resilience and went six matches without defeat before losing their last two games ahead of the break.

And Ledley, who started his career with the then Championship side and helped the club reach the 2008 FA Cup Final, believes that the January transfer window is crucial and that the club must prioritise signing a striker if they are to avoid relegation.

"It's got to be a striker [where Cardiff City should strengthen their squad in January]," he said.

"We've been crying out for a striker for the last five to 10 years really. We haven't had a striker who scores 15 to 20 goals a season.

"I know they're very difficult to come by, but even if you can get someone in there getting double figures. Last season, Perry Ng was top goalscorer and he’s a defender.

"All the fans, the management and the chairman will all know that realistically Cardiff need a goalscoring striker. So hopefully in January we can go out there and find one."

The club's precarious position in the Championship, along with the instability regarding the naming of next manager at the Cardiff City Stadium, has left fans increasingly frustrated with owner Vincent Tan. 

Tan, once a celebrated figure among Cardiff City supporters, is now facing significant criticism for the lack of a clear strategic plan, and the protracted search for a permanent boss has only led to growing dissatisfaction.

But Ledley, who will be representing Celtic at the Scottish Masters in Aberdeen on November 14, believes that Tan still deserves the respect of the City fans.

"There’s still mixed emotions towards him," he said. "But you've got to give him credit, he’s putting his money into the team and into the city as well. Without a shadow of doubt he has put his hand in his pocket. 

"You've got the likes of Aaron Ramsey and David Turnbull here - big, big players that have signed. So the fans will respect him for that. You don't really see him much at games, he’s still in Malaysia. 

"There’s mixed emotions from the fans, but from my perspective, he's been great with recruiting players this season and putting his hand in his pocket, so you can't argue with that."