Supporters Trust Meeting with Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo, 26th September 2024
Present: Mehmet Dalman, Ken Choo, CCST Board Members and FAB members Mike Weedon, Vince Alm and Kieran Jones
Dear Member,
You will recall from our email to you of Monday, 23 September, after the dismissal of Erol Bulut I mentioned that I would be seeking for the Trust Board to meet with the club to discuss how the club is intending to move forward. At 10.00 am yesterday, I had a notification that my request was acceded to and the meeting was scheduled for 4.00 pm via Zoom. Had I had more notice than just six hours I would have emailed all members to ask them for questions so that I might represent your views but the short notice rendered it impossible. For inclusivity purposes, I invited 3 members of the FAB so that other Fans Groups could participate.
The discussion broadly covered the following issues
· The dismissal of Erol Bulut
· Football Expertise at Boardroom Level
· Strategic objectives and Communication with the Fanbase
· Appointment of a new Manager
Erol Bulut – MD stated that the dismissal of Erol Bulut was based purely on results and he takes full responsibility for the situation that has arisen.He stated that all was well in the Dressing Room. He explained that a rigorous recruitment process took place for his appointment with long and short lists in place. He was hoping that a period of stability and continuity would have arisen from his appointment. Reference was made about opportunities for youngsters under Bulut. MD considered that young players had developed better under Bulut that any other manager but he did not believe it was appropriate for him to interfere in the manager's team selection decisions.
Football Expertise at Board Level– Keith Morgan stated that, yet again, we were without a manager and it was now 12 managers have been dismissed since Vincent Tan became the owner of the Club and it appears that we lurch from crisis to crisis. MD stated that he did not see the current situation as a crisis. Keith said that it was an opinion widely held amongst the fanbase that the absence of Football Expertise at Board Level was a significant shortcoming. Keith also referred to the lack of a full time Executive Director in the Boardroom. MD said that he had raised the question of a Director of Football today with Vincent Tan. He reiterated that VT is still to be convinced of the necessity to appoint one. Mehmet has stated clearly in the past that this is a situation that needs to be resolved and still seems favourably disposed towards such an appointment but it is clear who the final decision rests with.
A question was raised by Kieran Jones concerning the need to appoint a full-time Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer. Ken Choo stated that his commitment to running the Club was 100% and all the directors dealt with Club issues at all hours. He also referred to the commitment and professionalism of the Club Finance Director and Secretary who are key members of staff. KC also explained how the Recruitment Team had been increased to 4 and the fact that they are now utilising several software applications to assist with player recruitment and analysis. This capability is regarded as key in moving the club forward.
Strategic Objectives– Keith Morgan and Mike Weedon asked about the Club's overall strategy and whether there was one. MD said that there was a clear plan to get promoted back to the Premier League and off the pitch everything is in place but on the pitch evidently not. KC emphasised the extent to which the Club had invested in the Academy and the new training ground. He believes, with some justification, that we currently have the best crop of youngsters since his time at the club. He also referred to the problem of Premier League clubs poaching the best talent. He said they had made numerous representations at EFL level regarding this as had other Clubs but so far to no avail.
Reference was made to Category A status, but KC said that such a status would not protect the club from predatory Premier League teams and the additional cost was not justifiable.
All Fans Reps were unanimous in respect of the failings of the Club to communicate with the Fanbase in respect of the "big picture". Both MD and KC took on board that criticism and said that they would investigate publishing a regular newsletter that would allow the Club to provide a greater insight into its plans and activities on and off the pitch.
KM asked about the current involvement of Vincent Tan in the running of the Club. Both MD and KC stated clearly that he was emotionally and financially fully invested in the club. He had been very supportive in the last transfer window and they confirmed that the departure of Mark McGuinness to Luton was as a result of the player wishing to leave rather than a demand of the owner. Contact with Vincent Tan on Club matters occurred on a daily basis at all hours.
Appointment of a New Manager – Vince Alm asked about the process and timescale for the appointment of a new manager. MD said that there would be no "knee-jerk" appointment but the process would be followed. It was stated the club is using external advisors in the process, these advisors include one of the largest Football Agencies in Europe together with two very experienced former and unnamed football managers. These advisors will help in preparing recommendations for a shortlist.
KC mentioned that a detailed file would be compiled on each candidate, and this would include the use of detailed data analytical review of all aspects of each candidate which will aid the recruitment process. The shortlisted candidates would be subject to interview and then a recommendation made to the owner.
The meeting ended after an hour with both Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo stating they were always open for such discussions in the future and they were thanked for their willingness to meet and discuss the current situation with Fans reps.
The question of the absence of football expertise at Board level was pressed by all parties as a matter of concern. Both MD and KC went to great lengths to explain how that gap is covered in the running of Cardiff City. However, it is my view that the absence of such expertise is a hindrance to the full progression of the club. It came as somewhat of surprise to be told that there was a grand strategy in place for the Club as we were not aware of it and it was conceded by the Club that communication is not in line with Fans' expectations.
It seems to me that there is more to such a strategy than a desire to get back to the Premier League backed by an effective Academy (which it seems to be), a new training ground and committed staff and owner but further detail of such a plan would be the subject of a meeting in itself. The detail provided of the appointment process for a new manager was informative and the lengths to which the Club are going to secure external assistance in hiring a new manager only seems to underline that absence of specific expertise that fans groups have been calling for. The impartiality of the external assistance will be critical.
Early in the meeting I suggested that the club seemed to be lurching from crisis to crisis and Mehmet Dalman was quick to say that he did not characterise the current situation as such. Well, bottom of the table with one point and one goal from 6 games continuing a poor end to last season one can hardly say that everything in the garden is rosy.
It is undoubtedly an embarrassment that we have dispensed with the services of a manager so soon after offering him an extended contract but the Chairman has taken full responsibility for that.
We now have a Caretaker Manager who, I imagine, will be considered along with other candidates recommended by the external advisors that the Club seem to be heavily relying on. We can only hope that a new appointment will quickly improve team performance and also try to serve up football that is more entertaining than the turgid stuff on display so far this season. Time will tell.
Keith Morgan
Chair