Cardiff Interim Manager Riza Optimistic About Future After Meeting Owner Tan

Cardiff City’s interim manager, Omer Riza, expressed optimism that his recent “honest” discussion with club owner Vincent Tan in Malaysia could lead to him retaining his role. The 45-year-old Riza traveled to Kuala Lumpur last week, undertaking a brief trip to gain clarification regarding his employment status, having occupied the temporary managerial post since Erol Bulut’s dismissal two months prior. While Cardiff has shown considerable improvement during Riza’s tenure of nine games, the former Watford coach’s long-term future with the club is still undecided. Riza stated, “For me it was really important we met face to face. We’ve spoken a lot on the phone.” He further added, “It was important for me he asked me to go over there. It wasn’t easy [in terms of travel] but we’ve done it. The conversations were very respectful and honest. I’m glad I went.” Describing the timeline of his visit, Riza commented, “I got there on Thursday, then met on Friday, had a good chat, really intriguing and it’s great to see what Mr Tan’s achieved in the course of his lifetime.” He concluded his account of the trip by saying, “I left Saturday night and got back Sunday morning. It was a tough week with travel, but worthwhile in meeting Mr Tan face to face, enjoyed it and came back and got ready for Monday.” However, when questioned about whether his own role and future were topics of discussion, Riza remained reticent. He stated, “There’s nothing to say on that other than the board will in due course speak to the media.” Riza concluded by saying, “But it was a really good trip and I’m happy to have done it, to go out there and show what my intentions were.” Cardiff has been actively considering various managerial candidates since the dismissal of Bulut on 22 September, which occurred after the Bluebirds experienced their worst season start in the club’s history. Riza’s appointment was initially intended to provide Cardiff with ample time to conduct their search for a new head coach, a process overseen by chief executive Ken Choo. Concurrently, there was an inclination to afford Riza an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities, particularly after the former Arsenal player conveyed his confidence in succeeding in the role. Despite his limited prior experience in frontline management, Riza has presided over a notable enhancement in both team performance and playing style, accumulating 14 points across his nine games at the helm. Calls for a prompt decision from the club have emerged, notably from former Cardiff and Wales striker Nathan Blake, and Riza expressed his desire for that decision to involve his retention in the position. He remarked, “I’ve loved every moment of it. I don’t want it to stop. The boys, the staff, the people around the club have been brilliant. We’ve achieve a lot in a short space of time.” Riza further elaborated on his philosophy, stating, “We’re not going to win every game. The best teams in the league are not winning every game, so why are we expected to? There shouldn’t be that expectation. Obviously we want to win and be champions and go up to the Premier League but, I’ve said it all along, it’s the process that’s important.” He concluded his thoughts on the team’s progress by asserting, “I stick by that and I believe my processes have been spot on, hence why the performances have been as they are. Camaraderie and morale is in a good place.”