A new name in the frame for Bluebirds
CAMPELOS EMERGES FROM NOWHERE AS A CONTENDER
PORTUGUESE manager Vitor Campelos has been thrown into the frame to become the next manager of Cardiff City, according to reports from abroad.
The 48-year-old, who will be little-known on these shores, is currently the manager of Portuguese top-flight team Chaves.
And Portuguese outlet the Record claim that Campelos is “waiting for the green light” to become Sabri Lamouchi’s successor in the Welsh capital.
They claim that Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman is the “main driver” behind trying to recruit the Portuguese and is waiting on owner Vincent Tan’s approval in order to get the deal over the line.
While the Echo were aware that Oscar Garcia was on the club’s short list of managers, which has been whittled down over the past fortnight or so, Campelos is a name which until now had not been mentioned.
Campelos began his managerial career in Hungary with Fehervar II in the third tier of Hungarian football in 2013.
He then signed for Trofense in the Portuguese second tier in 2015 - the team were last in the division and eventually went down.
The Portuguese, who seemingly has no notable playing career of which to speak, then moved to his hometown team of Vitoria Guimaraes, taking charge of the B team for three years.
He kept them in the Portuguese second tier for three successive seasons.
He led Vitoria’s first team on an interim basis after the resignation of Pedro Martins, but lost 3-2 at C.S. Maritimo in his only game in February 2018.
In May 2019, he got his first permanent gig in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, taking charge of Moreirense FC. He lasted only until December that year, though. His next job was a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, which was equally as ill-fated.
But it’s in the last three years, really, where he has rebuilt his reputation. He took over Chaves in 2021 and in the 2021/22 season, he won the league’s Manager of the Month awards for December, January and April as he guided the side to promotion to the top flight via the play-offs.
Chaves finished the most recent season in seventh position, just outside of the European places. His contract expires at the club this month and he is said to be seeking opportunities outside of Portugal.
We understand a few names remain on Cardiff City’s shortlist, some of which are from abroad, as their search for a new manager comes to a head.