We were given a glimpse behind the scenes of what kind of manager Omer Riza is.
After shaking hands and posing for photos with Cardiff City’s new signing, Yousef Salech, on Thursday afternoon, Omer Riza quietly drove east down the M4 to London.
None of Cardiff’s players understood why he had to return to England’s capital; the Bluebirds manager had communicated the devastating news that his father, Josh, had died on Thursday evening.
After shaking hands and posing for photos with Cardiff City’s new signing, Yousef Salech, on Thursday afternoon, Omer Riza quietly drove east down the M4 to London.
None of Cardiff’s players understood why he had to return to England’s capital; the Bluebirds manager had communicated the devastating news that his father, Josh, had died on Thursday evening.
Riza managed to put his emotions aside and remain laser focused on the seismic task at hand. His players executed his game plan with precision, with Callum Robinson emerging as the hero with two nicely taken goals to help defeat Swansea 3-0.
“He’s a credit to himself,” Robinson remarked of his management following the game. “On Friday, he did not address it. All the lads expressed their affection for him and his family, but he made no mention of it. He went directly into the meeting room to discuss the game and never said anything.
“Today, just three or four sentences before the game, he plainly acknowledged it and stated that he had a difficult time. I respect that. He didn’t want to make it about himself or what was going on with his family. I know that some managers would not have been here today.
“But I knew he wouldn’t disappoint us because he loves the game and loves us. Today, I’m overjoyed that we obtained a result for him and his family. The skipper (Joe Ralls) stated, “There’s more to football; health and family are important to everyone, and we got the job done.”
Robinson says he’s not sure how many hours Riza works each day, but he feels he works around the clock, wanting to embrace this opportunity.
Robinson and Riza appear to share a strong bond. After scoring early at Watford, the striker ran over to hug him on the touchline, aware of the pressure his boss was under. That result at Vicarage Road launched the club’s current six-game unbeaten streak.Subscribe to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Robinson says Riza’s human touches are what make him so appealing. “He is a good human being.” He hasn’t mentioned anything about his father to me or the players; we had no idea what was going on, which just shows what a man he is,” the forward remarked.
“He’s always asking about the lads’ families, how we’re doing, how our day off was, and if we were with our families. What were you doing? It makes you think; did you ask him?
“However, he will be really pleased with the outcome. Forget the red card; the geezer has clearly taken him out, he knows what he’s doing, he’s lost it, and he has every reason to be upset.
“The fans praising him show that we are all behind him.
“It’s been difficult for him. We had a good start, but then a couple results went against us. We’ve had some consistency in the previous two or three weeks, so maybe we can keep pushing.”
It has not been all rosy since Riza took over. A six-game unbeaten streak during his interim stay was the pinnacle of his brief reign, but Cardiff have the opportunity to equal that league record against Millwall in midweek.
Cardiff has had its ups and downs since Riza took over, but the team is now in the middle of the standings. If we removed the first six games of the season, which Erol Bulut managed, Cardiff would finish 13th – albeit it’s not quite that simple.
Robinson believes that the negativity Riza has occasionally faced is undeserved.
“He now has the job as a young manager. I simply feel like he’s always been battered. People are continuously asking, “Oh, is he the right man?” Go out and get someone…
“Just give him a chance.” I’m not sure about the chance, but now that he’s in, I’m not sure where we’d be. Maybe mid-table? It’s his first job, and we’re far from finished with this season.
“Cardiff City have given him the opportunity, let’s see what happens.”
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