Relieved Omer Riza wants to grab 'great opportunity' after overseeing first Cardiff City win

-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Interim boss Omer Riza says he has been presented with a "great opportunity" and wants to stake his claim to be permanent manager after he oversaw Cardiff City's first win of the season.

The Bluebirds claimed their first scalp at the eighth time of asking thanks to a Perry Ng header in the first half against Millwall and they managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead.

Cardiff are currently managerless after sacking Erol Bulut 10 days ago, with chairman Mehmet Dalman and CEO Ken Choo in attendance at Cardiff City City this evening.

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It is understood the Bluebirds board members were comparing notes on prospective managers, with Riza having hinted strongly at wanting the job full-time.

Asked about what the process is for him now in terms of applying to get that job, Riza said: "I don't know. I'm just getting on with my job. I'm really not thinking about it. This is a great club and a great opportunity with a great fan base. And I think there's more to come.

"I think we have proved that over the last two games in a small space of time. I don't know any more information, I'd be lying if I told you anything. It's only what you see and hear and read, which can be difficult at times.

"But it's about remaining positive, making sure the boys are ready and the team is ready and we approach every game like we want to win it. That's a professional way of acting."

Both Dalman and Choo spoke with Riza pre-match. The interim boss said: "They came in before the game, we sat down and had a chat. They wished me luck and wished the boys luck."

And they will no doubt be beaming, just as Riza was, after the match, with Cardiff, who remain bottom of the table, chalking up their first win of the season.

Of the match, Riza said: “I think [I feel] relief. When you haven’t won a game in seven, it’s frustrating, it’s disappointing for the fans, the club, players, staff.

“So to get that win today against a team that’s so hard to play against, we had to match that. The boys were solid and dealt with a lot of problems. We managed to get that goal, hold on and come away with the three points so I’m really happy.

“We haven’t had much time. We did a bit of work before the Hull game but haven’t had much time to work. We’ve got three games in seven days so we’re trying to keep the boys off their feet as much as we can. Attacking-wise, I think we got bodies forward and got in good positions and, defensively, we were more robust. We had to be that against this team and we got the result.”