Cardiff want Bulut contract situation resolved this week

Bluebirds boss back home in Turkey mulling over offer to stay

CARDIFF City hope to conclude Erol Bulut’s contract situation by the end of the week after the Bluebirds boss flew home to Turkey to be with his family.

Bulut’s coaching staff have all now departed the Welsh capital and flown to their respective homes and families in Germany, Turkey and Greece, with their futures still in the air.

The latest as we understand it is that there is an offer currently with Bulut, who has flown into Istanbul, and he will be back with his family discussing that in the coming hours and days.

As has been reported, length of the deal is the sticking point.

Bulut (pictured) insists there is a project to be built at Cardiff and will want job security while he carries that work out.

He has ambitions of improving this season’s 12th-placed finish and is on record as stating his lofty ambitions for next season, if given the opportunity.

And he has spoken about missing his family in recent weeks. They will want a commitment from the club in order for them to make some sort of longer-term plan for their own family situation.

Whether any suitable contract clauses or extension triggers have been placed into the contract currently on the table could play its part.

Vincent Tan, on the other hand, was burnt massively with the two-year contract he handed out to Mick McCarthy after the former Republic of Ireland boss’s positive start in Cardiff.

That has seen a succession of managers placed under short-term deals following his dismissal.

The club, however, will contact Bulut within the next 48 hours for his decision, with next season’s plans having to get under way in earnest, one way or another.

Bulut, meanwhile, is among the early contenders to take over at Hull City, according to the bookies.

Greek giants Panathinaikos and Turkish side Besiktas have both been tipped as possible alternatives, and the bookies now believe Hull could yet be another potential destination.

The Tigers are on the hunt for a new manager after parting ways with Liam Rosenior, and Bulut is priced at 5/1 to make the move to Humberside.

Bulut has previously spoken about his relationship with Tigers owner, Acun Ilicali, saying back in December: “I know Acun very well, since 1995. When I was a player, he was working for Fenerbahce press.

“Since that time I have known him, but he made an impressive move with his TV channels and shows and he was always crazy about football. He has made his dream come true, having a team and being the owner.”

Former Swansea City boss Steve Cooper is among the favourites at 5/2, while Danny Rohl and Will Still are just ahead of Bulut at 4/1. Former Hamburger SV coach Tim Walter tops the list at 1/2, however.

Odds in full: Tim Walter 1/2, Steve Cooper 5/2, Danny Rohl 4/1, Will Still 4/1, Erol Bulut 5/1, Emre Belozoglu 9/1, Graham Potter 10/1, Paul Heckingbottom 10/1, Fatih Terim 12/1, Shaun Maloney 14/1

(Odds courtesy of SkyBet and correct at time of publishing)