Cardiff managers must accept demands - Harris

Neil Harris says managers have to accept high demands if they work for Cardiff City.

Millwall boss Harris spent 14 months in charge at Cardiff before being sacked in January 2021.

Harris led the Bluebirds to the Championship play-offs in 2019-20, but was shown the door after a run of six successive defeats.

He made a first return to the Cardiff City Stadium as Millwall were beaten 1-0 by a Cardiff side under the stewardship of Omer Riza, who is in interim control following last month’s sacking of Erol Bulut.

Perry Ng’s header was enough to deliver Cardiff’s first league win of the season.

Bulut’s exit – which came only 111 days after he signed a two-year contract – has left Cardiff looking for a 12th permanent manager in 14 years.

Asked about the latest upheaval at his former club, Harris said: “Cardiff have had success over the last 20 years, promotion, Premier League time, good Championship periods.

“The demand from the fanbase and the ownership as well is to try to be top half, top six of the league - try to fight to get back into the Premier League.

“Obviously it was a poor start to the season so, as I found myself after a poor run, a change happens. We accept that as managers.

“When you step into the hot seat here, you know what the demand is.”

Harris added that he is “always disappointed” to see managers leave Cardiff because "sometimes I’d like to see people get given a bit more opportunity to extend their stay”.

However, the former striker said club owner Vincent Tan was entitled to expect success.

“On the flip side, Vincent’s a good bloke who has put a lot of money into the football club and his demands are high,” Harris added.

“Erol will know that. I am pleased for Omer to get an opportunity. I am disappointed his first success has come against us, but what it does is buys a bit of time for the football club to make calm decisions.”

Harris, meanwhile, said he was “surprised” when the chance to sign Cardiff midfielder Ryan Wintle on loan for the season presented itself in August.

Wintle was allowed to leave by Bulut despite playing 44 times in 2023-24.

“We were pleased to take Ryan,” Harris said.

“His opportunity to be in our starting XI has not come yet because we have played so well, but when he’s come on he’s been very good for us and he has been excellent in training.”