Nathan Jones to Cardiff City talk as Charlton Athletic told not to panic

Cardiff City have been told they are “better off talking to a brick wall” than trying to lure Nathan Jones as their new manager.

Jones remains the most prominent contender among the Welsh media to take over from Omer Riza following Cardiff’s relegation to League One – despite Jones having just overseen Charlton’s promotion from that division via the play-offs.

Des Buckingham, Ian Evatt, Brian Barry-Murphy, and Aaron Ramsey have also been interviewed, according to the BBC, but Ruben Selles, fresh from being sacked by Hull, “has ruled himself out as he wants to stay in the Championship.”

It is claimed that Charlton has a substantial compensation agreement in place if Jones leaves, with whispers that it is around the £1 million mark, but the Charlton press corps cannot entertain that he would be tempted, having spoken openly over the last few months about learning from leaving Luton for Stoke City and then Southampton.

London World writes, “Cardiff City are said to be considering an approach to Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones over the vacancy in Wales. The League One outfit are better off talking to a brick wall.

“On paper, those links make sense. Jones is a Welshman and spent time in the Cardiff City youth setup before embarking on his career as a player, but the coach confronted links with the club earlier this season head-on and hardly did anything to suggest he wouldn’t be interested.

“Cardiff clearly has not been paying attention. The Charlton manager looked almost bloodthirsty as he celebrated his side’s League One semi-final playoff win over Wycombe, and that passion was still present at Wembley Stadium.

“Jones… is a man on a mission. It’s clear he is hell-bent on proving a point with Charlton. Jones, who has been the subject of criticism from Charlton Athletic fans at times since his appointment last year, is a man on a mission. The former Southampton man may be laughed at for his sour grapes interviews over past managerial stints, but, speaking after the play-off win against Leyton Orient, it’s clear Jones is hell-bent on proving a point with Charlton”.

Jones, aged 52, joined Charlton in February 2024, and in his first couple of months made sure they were not dragged into a relegation fight in League One. He was under pressure after a slow start to 2024/25, but excellent form since December saw them finish fourth and then go up at Wembley.

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