No more so than this month, after he ordered likable manager Malky Mackay to hand in his resignation or be sacked for having the audacity to seek transfer funds in the upcoming January transfer window.
Fans took to the streets in protest and let their feelings be known from the terraces but it was to no avail as Mackay was eventually axed on December 27, leaving the Premier League strugglers manager-less. When the January transfer window opens later this week, every manager will have an idea of what type of player he is looking for.
A rock-solid centre-half, a pacey fullback, a fancy winger or maybe a goal-getting centre-forward, coaches will be flipping through their scout's reports and calculating whether or not to make that big move. Where Vincent Tan is concerned, he isn't so fussy—as long as they have the number eight in their birth date, he's not too bothered whether they're actually any good or not. According to the Metro , Tan has informed Cardiff's board he'd prefer to buy players with 'eight' in their birth date, as the number is a respected one in Malaysia.
Off that logic, we could soon be seeing Emile Heskey 11 January back in the topflight just a year on from his move to Australia outfit Newcastle Jets , or Luis Suarez 24 January backtrack on his new Liverpool deal in favour of a move to Wales. With just 15 goals scored, Cardiff are the second-lowest goalscorers in the Premier League. Only Crystal Palace 12 have found the back of the net fewer times this season. When I see what Malky has had to put up with, to see him being questioned I find it remarkable.
Especially when supporters there look up to him and respect him for what he's done. But you have to give him this: He felt a fellow manager was being poorly treated—or at least disrespected—and he immediately stepped up on Mackay's behalf. If nothing else, the matchday 17 between these two teams will feature plenty of mutual admiration from the managers. Of course, Tan has generally been a controversial figure at Cardiff. He infuriated the supporters by changing the club's colors from blue to red in , and even further angered them when it was rumored the club might change its name to Cardiff Dragons.
Hopefully we can do better and get into the play-offs We pray that will be able to [the Premier League]. For example, last season we were in the play-offs. Neil Harris, our former manager, did a great job last season but this season didn't do too well so we had to change. I believe Mick is doing a great job and we have a good chance of getting to the play-offs.
After that, we hope to be promoted. Everyone wants to be promoted! While his style was heavily criticised during his most recent spell as Ireland manager, the Cardiff squad seem to have embraced McCarthy's no nonsense approach.
Dalman acknowledges the fact that Tan does not attend every Cardiff game does lead to some questions over his continued interest in the club.
Cardiff missed out on last season's Championship play-offs despite an impressive second half to the season under manager Mick McCarthy, who replaced Neil Harris in January. Dalman said himself and Tan were pleased with the work the former Republic of Ireland boss was doing at Cardiff City Stadium.
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