Swans fan in peace.
Think I mentioned last year my thoughts on what I would do, were I in charge of Cardiff.
Bellamy has impressed me with a number of his comments in the year you guys went up. Whilst obviously competitive with us, he drew on specific ideas from what we have done that other clubs can look at. None of the nonsense about there being only one way to play football Tika-taka etc. I like the way we play, but I think there's more than one way to make a Kitty-coat. I mean, he highlighted the need for a specific ethos and syle of play running through a club to build and have consistent success. Again, we were crap this year and very lucky to be safe without reaching 40 points, but I think that is the way forward.
Cardiff's ethos isn't ours and vice-versa. Your tradition has been to build power in the spine and be direct (not in a critical sense). I guess playing like Man U/Chelsea hybrid of the championship. Take that as the ethos, hire staff/managers/players to fulfill this style and build consistency.
I would have Craig Bellamy in charge with an experienced no.2. A lot of them were booted out by Man U when Moyes went in there, so could be an option. Even the guy who went to manage Fulham. Build an experienced backroom.
Having Bellamy in charge might be a starting point for building passion and leadership. Soemone commented about a concern about tailing off under pressure, so I would look to build the team to counter that. Medel will obviously go and it sounds like Campbell too. Maybe Caulker will stay, would be straneg for him to have come out and say that he was staying if he intended to race off. In which case, I would bring Hudson back in beside Caulker and find a leader in midfield. Someone to hold and lead the fight.
I fear Jones plays to the level. I may be wrong, but I suspect, when he should be battering championship teams, he'll play within himself and get 12 goals. I may be wrong. I would look to a championship/league 1 striker who is in form but possibly running down a contract. Someone passionate and on the way up.
Anyway, those are my thoughts - get someone Cardiff through and through to lead you. But back him up with experience.
Likewise, best will in the world, if you had brought in Pulis, he would have brought in Ledley and, with Bellamy, that would have really helped.