Cardiff City fans hit back at 'disrespectful' Omer Riza's 'clueless' comments

The under-fire Bluebirds boss has been criticised for his 'disappointing and disrespectful' comments

Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has been labelled “disrespectful” by Bluebirds fans for his “ill-judged” comments about supporters.

Speaking before Cardiff's trip to Sheffield United on Friday evening, Riza responded to criticism he has received online amid speculation around his position at the club. The Bluebirds currently sit 22nd in the Championship table, a point and a place away from safety with four games left to play and there is palpable frustration among fans about where the club is headed.

After their crushing 1-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Stoke City, time is running out for Cardiff to save their second-tier status and rumours around Riza's position have circulated in recent days.

There has even been talk of former manager Neil Warnock answering an SOS call to try to steer them to safety in the final four games. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.

Addressing the mounting criticism he has received since the Stoke defeat, Riza said he was aware of fans' comments about him. While he said there are a lot of "good fans" within the Cardiff fanbase, he branded others "clueless".

"I do read comments," he said. "I read all the comments from fans and unfortunately a lot of them are clueless.

"That's what I've got to learn, I've got to learn to come away from that side of things so I can stay focused on what I am doing - because there are lot of good people out there, around the club, a lot of good fans and we've got to do this together."

The manager's comments have not been well received by fans, with Cardiff City Supporters' Trust issuing a response on Thursday morning and branding Riza words as "disappointing and disrespectful".

Posted on X, the statement read: “Comments that fans are clueless are both disappointing and disrespectful given the need for everyone to be pulling in the same direction as Cardiff City battles to avoid relegation.

“Given the club’s precarious position, the manager, indeed any manager, should expect to receive criticism from fervent supporters who are passionate about the future of our club. We hope Omer will reflect on his ill-judged comments.”

Riza's comments came after questioning on his ability to deal with the pressures of a Championship relegation battle in his first managerial role.

“It’s something I need to get better at,” he admitted. "I've got a family.

"I can be obsessed with the situation and knowing the importance of it and sometimes you can neglect your family, and ignore them at times.

"Then you reflect and think that shouldn't happen and as a young manager it's something I need to get better at.

"I know how important it is," he added. "It's a failure on my part if we go down. I have standards, I have goals, ideas about where I feel I can take this club.”