Sacked Riza urges Cardiff to stick together
Omer Riza says Cardiff City can only avoid relegation from the Championship if everyone connected with the club is united.Riza was sacked by the Bluebirds in the aftermath of Friday's 2-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a result that leaves Cardiff in 23rd place, a point adrift of safety with just three matches left to play this season.Aaron Ramsey will take charge of the club's remaining games against Oxford United, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.Following his exit, Riza said he still feels Cardiff will avoid the drop."Firstly I would like to thank [owner] Tan Sri and the board for the opportunity given to me to steer Cardiff City away from relegation," he wrote on Instagram.
"Although not quite there yet, I firmly believe we will survive."I would also like to thank the players who I had a great relationship with and staff for their continued drive and togetherness to achieve this."This season I have had the pleasure of introducing our youngsters at the club on a regular basis which will hopefully give Cardiff City something to really talk about in the future."The staff around the ground and stadium have all been supportive throughout and I wish you all the very best."
Following the sacking of Erol Bulut in September, Riza was appointed on a caretaker basis before being handed a contract until the end of the season in December.After losing his opening match as interim boss at Hull City, Riza guided Cardiff to a six-game unbeaten run in which they claimed 14 of the 18 points on offer.He was also in charge as the Bluebirds claimed a thumping 3-0 victory over rivals Swansea City at Cardiff City Stadium on 18 January, just two days after the death of his father.But following a bright start, results and performances dropped as the Welsh club found themselves in another relegation fight.Following his departure, Riza thanked Cardiff fans for the support they showed him."To the fans, I would like to say I hope we enjoyed some moments, the Jacks (Swansea) at home, Watford's 18-game unbeaten run that we stopped, Plymouth 5-0 win and other memorable moments," he wrote."The support you gave me after the loss of my father Josh is one I will never forget and appreciate."Riza, who apologised the day before his sacking for calling some fans "clueless", went on: "The city, the club, the fans, players and board, you can only do this if you do it together."Thank you for everything, the ups and downs will make us stronger."The 45-year-old won nine of his 37 Championship games as boss at a rate of 24%.He also guided the Bluebirds to the fifth round of the FA Cup after knocking out Sheffield United and Stoke City, before being beaten 2-0 by Premier League Aston Villa in the last-16.
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