After disappointing spells under Solsjkær, Slade and Trollope Cardiff City were second from bottom in the Championship staring relegation down the barrel before the appointment of veteran manager Neil Warnock in October 2016.
Dedication was demanded from the new manager which saw Cardiff to 12th that season before a surprising promotion to the Premier League the following campaign, which Warnock claimed to be his greatest ever achievement in a long list of successes.
After small investment and pundits branding Cardiff as the Premier League’s worst ever side, the Bluebirds were against the wall. All season Cardiff battled all types of resistances including the tragic death of new signing Emiliano Sala.
Their resilience wasn’t enough to earn Premier League survival finishing two points from safety in 18th. Abysmal refereeing in the dying embers of a home fixture to Chelsea was a particularly gut-wrenching experience, leaving Warnock staring at Michael Oliver in utter disbelief after the game.
A 1-0 defeat to Bristol City was the final game of Warnock’s tenure, parting on mutual terms this week. Despite some poor performances and lacklustre football at times, Warnock reinstalled belief into a Cardiff City crying out for help.
Warnock leaves Cardiff with an ambitious squad that can challenge for promotion under new management. More importantly, Warnock leaves Cardiff a City legend.
Very Average Reading 