Dean Whitehead: New Challenge as Interim Manager at Cardiff City FC
- The former Sunderland and Stoke City favourite will be in charge in the dugout as the Bluebirds tackle Leeds United in the FA Cup Third Round replay
Dean Whitehead is the new interim manager at English Championship club Cardiff City after the shock dismissal of Mark Hudson at the weekend.
The former Sunderland and Stoke City favourite will be in charge in the dugout at Elland Road tonight (Wednesday January 18) as the Bluebirds tackle Premiership Leeds United in the FA Cup Third Round replay.
Fellow Football Careers clients Mark and Dean had been working together to try to turn around Cardiff’s fortunes but the precarious nature of football management is shown by how little time Hudson was given in the hotseat.
After impressing in his own spell in interim charge of the team, Mark was appointed to the manager’s role on a permanent basis on November 14 last year.
On Saturday night after seven games in that role, which ended in six draws and one solitary defeat 1-0 away at high-flying Blackburn Rovers, he was sacked just 61 days into the job.
Cardiff lie 21st in the Championship but last-gasp goals for their rivals in the opening 2-2 draw with Leeds in the Cup then a 1-1 tie with fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic cost Hudson dear. Now Dean is thrust into the manager’s role and he said:
“We had players who stepped up for their chance against Leeds the first time and we have players who are going to do that again. They have got to take their opportunity and everyone has to step up and be counted.
“You gain confidence all the time in matches but that was a big turning point for one or two players who came in, performed and stayed in the team.”
In all Mark’s time as interim and then permanent boss of Cardiff lasted just 118 days.
He had a contract until the end of this season, but now City owner Vincent Tan is looking to appoint his fifth manager in two years.
