Russell Slade has edged ever closer to becoming the new manager of Cardiff City, with reports suggesting he has already met staff at the club.
This time last year the Bluebirds were still getting used to life in the Premier League, yet buoyed by taking three points of eventual champions Manchester City and a share of the spoils against Everton, hopes of retaining their top-flight status were high. However, the controversial dismissal of Malky Mackay was the beginning of a downward spiral which ended in relegation.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the man at the helm when the season ended, but the Norwegian was told he would be given time to haul the Welsh club back from the Championship. As it turned out, the former Manchester United striker was given his marching orders earlier this month, following a disappointing run of results which let the 2008 FA Cup finalists lagging behind in 17th position.
An approach for Slade was rejected by Leyton Orient last week, despite the poor start the Brisbane Road club had made to their League One campaign this term. The 53-year-old, though, is thought to have made it clear that he was interested in what was on offer at the Cardiff City Stadium, and he handed in his resignation on Wednesday after a second approach for his services was turned down.
An official statement from the London club read: “The chairman and the CEO of Leyton Orient have received a resignation letter from Russell Slade a few minutes ago. This has not happened by chance after the club rejected this afternoon, a proposal from the general manager of Cardiff City regarding the transfer of Russell Slade. The lawyers of the club are now studying the file.”
It now appears as though an agreement for the move is close to being finalised, and Sky Sports have reported on Friday morning that Slade has already met with Cardiff staff ahead of the move. It is unlikely he will be installed by the time Sheffield Wednesday visit on Saturday afternoon, when Scott Young will continue in his caretaker role, assisted by Danny Gabbidon.
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