Cardiff City have announced Erol Bulut as the club's new manager, with owner Vincent Tan describing him as having 'the standard of managerial experience we've not had before.'
The former Fenerbahce boss, who has made waves in the Turkish League, comes on board as the Bluebirds look to go in a new direction with a go-ahead foreign manager.
In a further exciting twist, Tan says Bulut's background and European pedigree will enable Cardiff to start attracting a higher calibre of player again. The Bluebirds hierarchy are looking to have the EFL transfer embargo overtutrned.
READ MORE: The lowdown on Erol Bulut and the success he's had
In a statement issued on Cardiff's website on FA Cup final afternoon, Tan said: “I’d like to welcome Erol and offer him my sincerest best wishes and good luck as manager of Cardiff City.
“This summer allowed us to consider applicants for the manager’s position from across Europe and, having taken our time with the process, I’m extremely confident that we have chosen the best candidate to take us forward.
"Erol has vast experience as a player and as a manager, having played Champions League football and managed European sides across 200 League games to date. This level of experience is needed at this time and I think will prove invaluable to the squad.
“Erol’s enthusiasm and hunger for success impresses me greatly. When we spoke, it became clear that his intensity and hard work ethic matched the core cultural traits that I want our club to return to.
"His excellent record in European football represents a standard of managerial experience that we have not had at Cardiff City before.
"His experience in this field, I hope, will allow us to attract a higher profile and standard of player in the coming years.”
Bulut will meet Cardiff staff for the first time on Monday when he is also formally unveiled as the club's new manager at a press conference.
From Germany, he began his playing career at Eintracht Frankfurt and went on to play for Turkish powerhouses Fenerbahce and Greek giants Olympiacos in UEFA Champions League football.
He moved into management in 2017 and straight away guided Yeni Malatyaspor to a club-record high fifth-place finish in the Turkish Super League, qualifying them for the Europa League.
Bulut then led Alyanaspor to their first Turkish Cup final and again to a Europa League place.
He was then headhunted by Fenerbahçe, winning 21 of his 34 matches in charge and securing the club’s highest recorded away win percentage two seasons ago.
He was more recently in charge of Gazantiep, but left in January. The Turkish earthquake meant the club had to withdraw from the league, with opponents being awarded 3-0 victories, but Gazantiep were guaranteed to keep their top flight status for next season.
READ NEXT
Cardiff City and Wales legend Craig Bellamy declared bankrupt
'It's been an honour' – Sabri Lamouchi posts classy message to Cardiff City fans after exit
