EROL FLING
Bulut wants to continue his love affair with the Bluebirds
ROB COLE
EROL BULUT is targeting a south Wales derby double over Swansea before extending his stay with Cardiff.
Bulut masterminded a 2-0 win over the Swans in September and will become the first ever Cardiff manager to oversee a league double against their rivals should they beat Luke Williams’ side on Saturday.
It comes as the Turkish manager’s own future remains uncertain as his contract expires in the summer.
But Bulut admitted: “I would like to stay and build with this club and with the players.
“When we look back at the start of the season to now, it is a big step and progression. Normally, we should continue with that. This is not up to me. The board have to think and make that decision. From my side it’s clear.”
For Bulut the immediate focus lies on making history.
He said: “I hope I can change it to be the first to have two wins against
Swansea (in the same season). It won’t be easy. To talk is one thing, to do it is something else.
“It’s a derby and I know how important this is for our fans, the club and our players, for me, too.”
Cardiff go into the derby having won four successive matches.
Captain Joe Ralls added to the feelgood factor at the club this week by signing a new deal with the Bluebirds until at least 2025.
And central midfielder Ralls believes Bulut has played a pivotal role in transforming the club’s fortunes since joining last summer.
Ralls, 30 said: “I’m around it every day, I can see what we’ve got as a squad.
“The way the club is going, it’s going in a really good direction.
“I know how good this club can be when things are going well.
“There’s been massive progress this season, the team spirit, the manager.
“There’s been ups and downs, but all in all, when you look over the last couple of years, where we are as a squad, the connection with the fanbase between the manager and players, we’re in a really good position.”