The latest Bluebirds news from Cardiff City Stadium
Here are your Cardiff City morning headlines for Tuesday, December 23.
Erol Bulut sacked by Antalyaspor after 10 games
Former Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut has been sacked by Antalyaspor after just 10 games in charge, bringing his first managerial role since leaving south Wales to a swift end.
Bulut was appointed by the Turkish Süper Lig side in October following the departure of Emre Belözoğlu, but struggled to steady the ship during a short and turbulent spell. In total, he oversaw 10 matches — seven in the league and three in the Turkish Cup — winning three, drawing two and losing five.
Two of those victories came in the Turkish Cup, with Antalyaspor managing just one league win under Bulut. A heavy defeat to Galatasaray proved the final blow, prompting the club to act. The club are currently 15th, one spot outside the relegation places. Sign up to our Cardiff City WhatsApp channel here.
Confirming the decision, Antalyaspor said in a statement on social media: “We have parted ways with our head coach Erol Bulut and his team. We thank Erol Bulut and his staff and wish them success in their future careers.”
The dismissal comes after Bulut’s time at Cardiff City, where he was appointed in the summer of 2023 but failed to build on a solid first season, steering City to 12th in the Championship.
City never recovered from the disastrous start under his leadership last season, ultimately leading to relegation to League One.
‘Disappointed’ Millers boss’ pointed Etete message
Rotherham United boss Matt Hamshaw has hinted that a decision may already have been made over the future of Cardiff City loanee Kion Etete, as doubts grow over the striker’s long-term role at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Etete is one of two loan forwards at the Millers whose seasons have been badly disrupted by injury, alongside Everton youngster Martin Sherif. While both players arrived with expectations of bolstering Rotherham’s League One push, fitness issues have limited their impact and raised the prospect of an early return to their parent clubs when the January transfer window opens.
Hamshaw confirmed he has already shared his views with the club’s hierarchy, though he stopped short of publicly revealing his plans.
“I have an opinion that I’m not going to share,” Hamshaw said. “The club is aware of that.
“We will see how we get on through the next run of games. I have been disappointed with the availability and we need people out on that pitch.”
That pointed assessment will be of particular interest to Cardiff, with Etete enduring a frustrating spell in South Yorkshire. The 24-year-old has yet to score for Rotherham and has been restricted to just 10 appearances due to a catalogue of groin, knee and quad problems.
Etete made his first outing in more than six weeks as a late substitute in last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to Huddersfield Town, but his lack of availability has clearly tested Hamshaw’s patience.
Hamshaw stressed that the situation is already under review and suggested supporters should not doubt the club’s direction. Sign up to our daily Bluebirds newsletter here
“The situation has been considered already,” he added. “I don’t want people to think I don’t know what I’m doing at this moment. I do know what I’m doing.”
Last week, Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy said of the striker’s situation: “I think his rehab’s going really well.
“I’m in constant dialogue with James Rowland (head of medical services) and he said he’s making really good progress and they anticipate that he’ll be back in action pretty soon.
“I think he’s fit to come back and play for Rotherham pretty soon and I presume that’ll be the situation.”
City bow out of Premier League Cup
Cardiff City U21s bowed out of the Premier League Cup with a defeat away to Stockport County on Monday night.
The Bluebirds travelled north knowing progression was on the line but were unable to turn the tide, despite a spirited second-half showing.
Joe Astles put the hosts in front on 56, but after a period of sustained pressure which forced the County ‘keeper into some smart saves, Troy Perrett continued his excellent personal form by levelling the match 10 minutes before time.
Astles, however, nicked the winner five minutes later to send Stockport through to the knockout stages of the competition.
Cardiff City XI: Griffiths; Williams, Keita, Kingdon, Giles; Apter, Mafico; Nyakuhwa, Perrett, George; Pearce.
Subs: Jones, Twose, Debono, Barton, Davies.
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