Steve Morison is under a bit of pressure after Cardiff City's derby defeat to Swansea City, but he will be tasked by Vincent Tan with a major rebuild of the squad this summer.
It's a major challenge for the Cardiff City manager, with further cuts expected to be made this summer and a number of players likely to leave. The perennial goal remains of trying to get back in the Premier League, an ambition Malaysian owner Tan has always held since he took over the club and has achieved twice.
During 12 years at the helm, Tan has appointed eight different full-time managers to try to achieve the dream. We take a look at what's happened with the seven who preceded Morison in the job.
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Malky Mackay (2011-2013)
Mackay was Tan's first managerial appointment and succeeded Dave Jones. He arrived at Cardiff City Stadium from Watford and his reign got off to a flying start, Malky winning the Championship Manager of the Month award for September. Mackay's positive start at the helm continued as he guided the Bluebirds to their first League Cup Final before losing to Liverpool at Wembley while they finished his first season in the play-offs before eventually losing to West Ham.
It was a successful step in the right direction. The following year, the Bluebirds made their strongest home start to a league season as they won each of their first 10 home fixtures.
Mackay went on to to lead City to the Championship title and take Cardiff into the Premier League for the first time in their history. But he came under heavy criticism the following season from Tan for his playing style and signings and was dismissed in December 2013.
His time at the club can be regarded as a success as Mackay ultimately achieved the club's dream of Premier League football, despite struggling to adapt to life in the top flight. These days he is manager of Ross County after spells with Wigan and the Scottish FA.
*David Kerslake took over as caretaker manager following Mackay's exit. He was in charge for two games, drawing one and losing one, before the next manager was brought in. Kerslake was appointed Justin Edinburgh's assistant at Gillingham in 2015 and moved on to do the same job at Northampton Town in 2017. He is currently Michael Appleton's assistant at Lincoln City. (December 27, 2013 - January 2, 2014)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2014)
Without doubt the most high-profile Cardiff City manager appointed under Tan, the Manchester United legend was handed the reins after managing in Norway with Molde. Solskjaer's appointment was met with great expectation among Bluebirds fans and he won his first game in charge, coming from behind to beat Newcastle 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup.
However, Cardiff continued to struggle for points in the Premier League and were relegated back to the Championship after finishing 20th, recording only seven wins all season. Solskjaer stayed at Cardiff City Stadium despite the club's relegation, however a poor run of form at the start of the following Championship campaign meant his time in South Wales came to an end.
Solskjaer's time in charge of the club is viewed as disastrous. Many believe him to be the worst manager they've seen in the Bluebirds' dugout.
Now unemployed, Solskjaer returned to Molde after leaving Cardiff and in December 2018 became caretaker of his former club Manchester United, before permanently getting the job. Despite initial success at United he failed to win any silverware at Old Trafford and was sacked in November 2021.
*Danny Gabbidon and Scott Young took temporary charge of the club following Solskjaer's dismissal. The former Bluebirds players were at the helm for five matches, winning one, drawing two and losing two. Gabbidon can be found regularly contributing to commentary on Sky and BBC, while Young is the manager of Cambrian and Clydach. (September 18, 2014 - October 5, 2014)
Russell Slade (2014-2016)
Slade was appointed as Solskjaer's successor and the job was the highest level he had managed at. He was tasked with the reducing the wage bill, which was heavily inflated after relegation from the Premier League. Slade became unpopular with the Bluebirds supporters as crowd numbers dropped dramatically due to his unattractive playing style.
Slade finished 11th in his first season in charge and eighth in his second before being removed from his position and instead being named the club's head of football. However he didn't hold the position long, resigning on the June 3.
Slade's time in charge of the Bluebirds produces mixed opinions, as despite only recording mid-table finishes whilst playing an unattractive playing style, he gave the club stability and reduced the wage bill significantly. Slade went on to manage Charlton, Coventry, Grimsby and Hereford.
Paul Trollope (2016)
Trollope was a member of Russell Slade's backroom staff and the Bluebirds gig was his first job in management since departing Bristol Rovers six years earlier. City made a horrendous start to the season, winning only two of his opening 12 matches before he was sacked on the October 4, 2016.
The appointment of Trollope is considered one of Tan's worst due to his inexperience at Championship level and having not held a managerial role in six years prior to his appointment. Trollope went on to become assistant manager to Chris Hughton at Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
Neil Warnock (2016-2019)
Warnock, one of the most experienced managers in English football having won seven promotions prior to his appointment, was greatly welcomed by fans. With a depleted squad, lacking quality and strength in depth, Warnock took charge of a side who were quickly becoming embroiled in a relegation battle but guided them to a 12th-place finish in his first season. The next year, somewhat emphatically, he took the club back to the Premier League, finishing second in the Championship.
Tan backed Warnock in the transfer window prior to their Premier League return with the signings of Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid, Greg Cunningham and Alex Smithies. However, Warnock was unable to keep Cardiff in the Premier League and left his role early into the following season.
Despite relegation Warnock is adored by City fans for his time at the club and the way he galvanised supporters following a difficult few years under Slade and Trollope. Warnock went on to become Middlesborough manager and is currently unemployed, although he is a regular contributor on talkSPORT. He has refused to announce his retirement, so don't be surprised to see him pop up elsewhere at some point as his love for the game endures.
Neil Harris (2019-2021)
Harris initially made a positive start, winning three of his first four games and drawing one. The Bluebirds climbed the table and a late season run of form saw them finish in fifth place and enter the play-offs, where they lost to Fulham.
Harris' first season as manager was seen as progress among fans and after the signings of Wales internationals Kieffer Moore and Harry Wilson, fans expected the side to be in challenging at the top end of the table.
However, after a run of six straight losses, in January 2021, Harris was sacked after a home defeat by QPR. His team failed to perform and his second season really harmed his reputation in that regard. He is, however, credited with helping to kickstart the reintegration of youth again.
Harris is now manager of League One Gillingham.
Mick McCarthy (2021)
Former Republic of Ireland and Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was appointed to replace Harris and signed a contract until the end of the season. After an 11-game unbeaten start to his reign, a run that included a six-match winning streak, McCarthy signed a two-year deal with the club in March 2021. Cardiff ended the season in eighth after narrowly missing out on the play-offs. Considering the side were 15th when McCarthy took over, his first season was viewed positively.
The following year saw the Bluebirds lose just one of their opening six matches, however a huge decline in form saw them lose eight straight games including a convincing 3-0 defeat in the South Wales derby with Swansea. The eight successive defeats was the worst run in the club's history, leaving the Bluebirds in 21st position and McCarthy was let go.
McCarthy, who was replaced by current manager Steve Morison, is still without a job.
