New favourite emerges as Cardiff City ‘draw up shortlist’ in search for new manager

A new favourite emerges as Cardiff City ‘draw up a shortlist’ in their search for a new manager, preparing for life in League One.

Ian Evatt, former Bolton Wanderers manager, has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite to become Cardiff City’s new manager.

The 43-year-old, known for his attacking philosophy, led Barrow to promotion in 2019/20 and Bolton to League Two promotion in 2020/21, and also won the EFL Trophy in 2023.

With a 50% win rate over 261 games at Bolton, Evatt’s tenure ended in January 2025 due to poor results and missing out on the playoffs.

Cardiff, seeking a manager with proven experience in English football and ideally a promotion on their record, is finalising a shortlist of around 10 candidates, with interviews this week.

The process, which according to Wales Online, is being led by a subcommittee including academy head Gavin Chesterfield and former Swansea/Rangers director Mark Allen, aims to appoint a new manager by month’s end.

It’s said that chairman Mehmet Dalman last week hoped they would have a new man in place by the end of the month.

Owner Vincent Tan has moved his attention away from hiring young, unproven managers after the team’s relegation last season under Omer Riza, with Erol Bulut also having a poor start to the campaign.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨

Cardiff City are set to interview manager candidates this week, with ex-Oxford United boss Des Buckingham and former Bolton Wanderers head coach Ian Evatt on their shortlist to succeed Omer Riza!

More here 👇 #Bluebirds #BWFC #OUFC https://t.co/acmqlb8kiW

— Football League World (@FootballLeagueW) May 20, 2025

Favourites to become new Cardiff City manager:

BetVictor – 20th May
Ian Evatt – 1/1
Des Buckingham – 4/1
Steven Gerrard – 5/1
Aaron Ramsey – 16/1
Michael Beale – 16/1
Tommy Elphick – 16/1
Stephen Bradley – 20/1
Ruben Selles – 20/1
Gary O’Neil – 20/1
Nathan Jones – 20/1

Here’s how fans are reacting online as a new favourite emerges while Cardiff City ‘draw up a shortlist’ in search for their new manager…

@CCFCFR1: Des please

@Cooky_Bfc: Ian evatt please

@liam_brett7: Don’t get the hype over Buckingham. Evatt for me, stronger character, two promotions, two play off finishes, knows the league better, attacking football

@NathanielOUFC: Des also plays attacking football :)) And was behind the greatest masterminded playoff final game of all time

@acsmythe: If “stronger character” means more arrogant, then yeah… Des is less rigid and stuck in his ways I think, more progressive coach

@svendcarr17: Both decent options. Both been promoted and both play decent stuff. Hopefully sorted this week.

@RyanCCFC20: Rather Buckingham than evatt

@roathboy: #TeamBuckingham

@mattccfc555: Buckingham please city

@heyit5sam: Hmmm the guy that won the play off final or the guy that can’t get a “big” team promoted & lost the final. No brainer if you’re Cardiff

@Callum_OUFC: Buckingham vs Evatt? I’ve seen this script somewhere before…

@bwfc_elliot: I am praying that it’s Ian Evatt. He had a shocking start and end of his time with us, I expect he’d have a shocking start at Cardiff

@ThreeBluebirds_: Des Buckingham > Ian Evatt.

@roathboy: I think the problem Cardiff have, and it’s a problem of their own making, is that by stating you’re employing an agency to long list 30 candidates, if you then end up with someone like Ian Evatt, it’s hardly a ringing endorsement of the process. You did all THAT, to get THIS?!

@iamtimjbaker: I can’t imagine that knowing you’re in a long list of 30 is very motivating for candidates. It also means that if another club shows early strong interest, then Cardiff might be at a disadvantage.

@Cieran34552705: Would love to have Nathan jones if Charlton fail to go up, other than that Gary O’Neill would be ideal but I think I’d take Des Buckingham or Ian Evatt

@DiffDevelopment: Buckinghams got a league one promotion on his CV. Welsh FA were very close to appointing him post Page too. Has to be on any shortlist. Rob Edwards has also got 2 promotions on his CV with FGR and Luton. Surely a contender!

@Cieran34552705: I’d love Rob but can see a championship team going in. I think Edwards was on a high wage for which I don’t think we will go for, Edwards would be the one for me especially being Welsh but a big ask for us. Think if he came in we would keep a lot of our better players

@DiffDevelopment: He’s certainly got something to prove now too which is a good thing. I reckon we could have a chance if we convince him we intend going for it next season. Think he’s more likely to handle those above too more than most.

@Cieran34552705: Especially being a Welsh man! Think he needs a lot from Dalman and Tan, we need people who will play for the badge. Half of the players looked deflated, we need to get rid of the people who don’t want to play and I also think having Rob there will bring a lot of players in

@roathboy: Ian Evatt? Hard pass

@neddthomas: He’s alright. Much more realistic than some of the names being banded about. Wouldn’t be my first choice of the realistic options, but also wouldn’t call it a disaster if he got the job

@MattHawkins1927: We could do a lot worse