Etheridge: Cardiff players keen for Warnock to stay
Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was full of praise for manager Neil Warnock after the club were relegated from the Premier League.
The Mail Online write that the Bluebirds’ fate was confirmed after they suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
A Martin Kelly own goal and a Bobby Reid strike were cancelled out by efforts from Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi and Andros Townsend as the Bluebirds join Huddersfield Town and Fulham in dropping down to the Championship.
Warnock has one-year left on his contract with the south Wales club and had previously appeared to suggest he would be happy to see that out.
However, the 70-year-old said he would have to ‘let things settle’ in the coming days before discussing his future with owner Vincent Tan.
Etheridge has been one of the first names on the teamsheet this season, starting all of the club’s Premier League matches between the sticks.
The Philippino praised the work of his manager and revealed the admiration he and his team-mates hold for the work he has put in this season.
The 29-year-old said:
His stats speak for themselves – eight promotions. He’s a fantastic man-manager and knows exactly what to do. He’s been in the game long enough to know what players need, whether it’s a kick up the backside or an arm around them. As players, we want him to stay. But that’s a decision for him, not for us, and it’s something he’ll reflect on this summer.
Cardiff face a difficult trip to Manchester United on the final day of the season, before Warnock’s future will be resolved.
Five potential replacements should Warnock leave this summer
Slavisa Jokanovic
Jokanovic guided Fulham to the Premer League this season, doing so via the playoffs. However, he was relieved of his duties in November after the Cottagers picked up just five points from their first 12 matches.
Darren Moore
Moore was rather harshly sacked by West Brom two months ago, despite the fact they were fourth in the Championship table. The ex-Baggies player could want another shot at getting a club promoted.
Craig Bellamy
The Welshman had been a coach with the Cardiff academy for four years before stepping down in January to fight a bullying claim made against him. He has previously been interviewed for positions with Wales and Oxford United.
Mark Hughes
Hughes has been out of the game since being sacked by Southampton in December. The Welshman has considerable experience having managed Manchester City, Stoke City, Fulham and others.
Neil Lennon
Lennon returned to Celtic in February on a deal until the end of the season after Brendan Rodgers joined Leicester City. His only experience in the English leagues came with Bolton Wanderers between 2014 and 2016.
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