By Tom Prosser
Cardiff City have appointed Steve Morison as manager until the end of the season after impressing the board and fans with his vision for the team during his three-match spell as caretaker boss.
Former Cardiff captain Mark Hudson also returns to South Wales as first-team coach whilst Tom Ramasut has been promoted to the role of assistant manager.
Morrison has already ticked a lot of boxes and has proved he is capable of making big decisions at senior level.
Cardiff’s style of play has changed considerably under Morison with a focus on increasing possession whilst still utilising their threat from set-pieces and crosses.
Delighted that it seems like Steve Morison will be #CardiffCity manager until end of the season. Obvious choice given he’s seriously improved the style, the fans want him and the players want him. Great news and finally a good decision by @CardiffCityFC #EFL #SkyBetChampionship
— Ned (@neddthomas) November 11, 2021
In their last two games, the Bluebirds have had more possession than their opponents which has been a rarity in recent seasons.
But more importantly for Morison, he has proved he can get a reaction out of the players by overseeing comebacks in two of the three games.
The 38-year-old joined the Bluebirds as U23s head coach back in February 2020 and has significantly improved the results of the team as well as seeing many of his players progress into the first-team.
Every @CardiffCityFC will want Steve Morison to be a great success, but Morison can’t do it alone and needs support from the Board in terms of new coaching staff and maybe a few pennies to spend in January.
— Henry Saye (@henrysaye) November 11, 2021
Rubin Colwill, Isaak Davies, Sam Bowen, Kieron Evans and Joel Bagan have all shown real potential in their senior careers so far and Morison may be the man to unlock that potential even further.
Owner Vincent Tan is encouraged by Morison’s impact so far and will review the side’s progress at the end of the season.
“I have been encouraged by the team’s improved performances over the past three games, with the adoption of a more attractive and progressive style of football,” said Tan.
“What’s more, I think that the excellent work done by Steve and Tom at U23 level this season puts them in the very best position to help develop a talented crop of young players emerging at senior level.
“I’m also very pleased that Mark is returning to the club as part of the coaching setup.
“A healthy finish in the Championship this season is, of course, of paramount importance.
“A review of the side’s progress will be undertaken at the end of the campaign.”
Cardiff had also reportedly considered former Chelsea assistant bosses Eddie Newton and Jody Morris as well as ex-Rangers coach Michael Beale, who is expected to follow Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa.