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+----- Thread: Erol Bulut (/showthread.php?tid=12418)
Erol Bulut - themaclad - 03-06-2023
Cardiff City have named former Fenerbahce boss Erol Bulut as their new manager.
Bulut, 48, replaces Frenchman Sabri Lamouchi, whose short-term contract was not renewed at the end of last season even though he steered the club to Championship safety.
The appointment completes a global search for a successor to Lamouchi.
"Erol's enthusiasm and hunger for success impresses me greatly," said Cardiff owner Vincent Tan.
"When we spoke, it became clear that his intensity and hard work ethic matched the core cultural traits that I want our club to return to.
"His excellent record in European football represents a standard of managerial experience that we have not had at Cardiff City before.
"His experience in this field, I hope, will allow us to attract a higher profile and standard of player in the coming years."
Cardiff have not disclosed the length of Bulut's contract.
They had had also considered former Watford manager Oscar Garcia, and were also linked with the likes of Nathan Jones and Vitor Campelos, who has impressed with Portuguese club Chaves.
Bulut has been a manager for six years, but the move to Cardiff will see the former Turkey Under-21s international work outside his homeland for the first time.
He started his coaching career at Yeni Malatyaspor in 2017 before taking over at fellow Super Lig club Alanyaspor in 2019.
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Bulut's Alanyaspor side were beaten finalists in the Turkish Cup in his one season at the helm.
He moved to Fenerbahce - where he had spent four years as a player - in the summer of 2020, but departed in March 2021 with his team third in the Turkish top flight.
Bulut was soon back in management with another Super Lig club, Gaziantep, where he was in charge for 18 months before leaving following a disappointing run of results in January 2023.
Born in Germany, Bulut began his playing career at Eintracht Frankfurt before joining Fenerbahce, where he won a league title in 1995-96.
He then rejoined Eintracht Frankfurt and had spells on loan at Trabzonspor and Adanaspor before moving to Greek club Panionios, then returning to Turkey with Bursaspor.
A left-wingback, Bulut's nomadic career continued as he had spells at 1860 Munich, Olympiakos - where he won two Greek league titles and one cup - and Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk.
He returned to Greece for spells with Olympiacos Volos, OFI Crete and Veria before hanging up his boots in 2012.
"This summer allowed us to consider applicants for the manager's position from across Europe and, having taken our time with the process, I'm extremely confident that we have chosen the best candidate to take us forward," Tan added.
"Erol has vast experience both as a player and as a manager, having played Champions League football and managed European sides across 200 league games to date.
"This level of experience is needed at this time and I think will prove invaluable to the squad."
Lamouchi's departure from Cardiff was announced on 17 May after the former Nottingham Forest boss held talks over future plans with Tan.
Lamouchi was one of three Bluebirds managers last season, following Steve Morison and Mark Hudson.
The Welsh club finished just one place above the relegation zone, five points clear of 22nd-placed Reading, who were were deducted six points by the EFL for breaching the terms of an agreed business plan.
It was Cardiff's lowest finishing position since they were promoted to the second tier in 2003.
RE: Erol Bulut - themaclad - 04-06-2024
Erol Bulut has signed a two-year deal to remain as Cardiff City manager, a month after their 2023-24 Championship season ended.
Bulut's previous contract had been set to expire this summer after he took charge at Cardiff on a one-year agreement in June 2023.
His new contract runs until the end of the 2025-26 season.
He has been discussing a new deal with the Welsh club since owner Vincent Tan sanctioned the negotiations in late April.
Despite speculation linking him with a number of other jobs, the 49-year-old will remain at Cardiff.
“I’m very proud and happy to be extending my time with you all here in the capital city of Wales," Bulut said in a club statement.
“It is a privilege to be part of your family.”
Bulut's new deal is reward for the progress the Bluebirds made during 2023-24.
After relegation battles in each of the previous two campaigns, the Bluebirds finished 12th in Bulut's first year in charge.
The former Fenerbahce boss is a popular figure among Cardiff's fans, even if his style of play was criticised at times during his first year at the helm.
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman had been keen for Bulut to remain in charge, with Tan - who has the final say - giving his backing to the idea shortly before the regular Championship season came to an end.
Bulut's successes were achieved despite the fact that the club were only able to sign players on loan or free transfers in last summer's transfer window because of an EFL embargo.
In January 2024, Bulut had limited funds at his disposal because of profit and sustainability rules.
Bulut said on numerous occasions during his debut season in English football that he would be interested in signing a new deal.
It is believed he was looking for assurances over the club's future plans both on and off the field during the contract negotiations.
The length of the deal on offer had also been suggested as a reason for the delay in reaching an agreement.
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Image caption,
Erol Bulut claimed some notable wins during 2023-24, including a south Wales derby success against Swansea City last September
Dalman spearheaded the recruitment of Bulut last year and wanted to ensure Cardiff enjoyed some continuity and stability by giving him a new deal.
Bulut said in April that the target when he was appointed was to avoid relegation and that he had been told Tan was "happy" with the club's progress.
The former Turkey Under-21s international had not coached outside his homeland before joining Cardiff.
Tan said: “What was clear under Erol’s management last season was that we were making progress and showing improvement.
"I believe he has laid some strong foundations on which he will build.
“I wish Erol, his staff and squad the very best of luck ahead of the new season. They have my full support and good wishes.”
Bulut started his coaching career at Yeni Malatyaspor before taking over at fellow Super Lig club Alanyaspor and then switching to Fenerbahce in 2020. He left that job in March 2021 with his team third in the Turkish top flight.
Bulut then had a stint at Gaziantep, where he was in charge for 18 months, but left after a disappointing run of results in January 2023.