Cardiff City: Tony Mowbray and Steven Schumacher in frame for Bluebirds job | OneFootball

Tony Mowbray could potentially be set for a return to management, with other candidates also thought to be in the race to succeed Erol Bulut.

Tony Mowbray has been sounded out by Cardiff City, as they look for a new manager.

This is according to the Daily Mirror, who have also revealed some of the other candidates in line to secure the top job in the Welsh capital.

The start of this search came after the sacking of Erol Bulut, who could have no complaints about his dismissal, considering how poorly the Bluebirds have started the 2024/25 campaign.

They won just one point from a possible 18 in their opening six league games under Bulut, before he was dismissed.

Caretaker manager Omer Riza has endured a mixed time in temporary charge of the Championship side, losing his first game 4-1 against Hull City.

But having won against Millwall and secured an away draw at rivals Bristol City, Riza can be fairly happy with how his time at the helm has panned out so far.

However, he may not get another game to prove his worth, with the international break now upon us.

It could be argued that the Cardiff team need certainty regarding who will be in charge for the longer term sooner rather than later, considering the task they face in getting out of the bottom three and into a safer position.

The Bluebirds' hierarchy have decided to take their time in their quest to find a replacement for Bulut, but plenty of names have been linked with the top job at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Tony Mowbray among names linked with the Cardiff City job

Mowbray, 60, was forced to step down from his job at Birmingham City earlier this year due to a health issue.

Thankfully, he seems to be in better shape now, with the experienced manager being linked with a return to the second tier with the Bluebirds.

He has reportedly been sounded out regarding the top job - and Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones is also thought to be under consideration as a potential candidate to be Bulut's successor.

Alex Neil and Steven Schumacher, meanwhile, are both out of work following their departures from Stoke City.

Both are thought to be on the Bluebirds' radar though - and they could be cheap options for owner Vincent Tan considering both are free agents at this point.

Current caretaker manager Riza could also be an option for the Bluebirds after being given the opportunity to prove his worth, but it remains to be seen whether he will come out on top in this race.

It has been reported by the Daily Mirror that Jones would jump at the chance to manage the Bluebirds.

Considering he spent time at Cardiff as a player and is a Welshman, it's no surprise that this job is appealing to him.

However, you have to wonder whether he would be willing to make the move from one club to another for the third time, having failed to be successful during the previous two times.

It would be a mistake for Jones to move on at this point, considering he is still in the process of improving his Charlton side.

The Addicks may not let him go without a fight either, so the likes of Mowbray and Schumacher could be more realistic options for Cardiff at this point.