"They'll turn on you" - Pundit issues warning amid Steve Cooper, Cardiff City interest | OneFootball

Pundit Carlton Palmer outlines the potential supporters' reaction if former Swansea City boss Steve Cooper joins rivals Cardiff City

Former Swansea City manager Steve Cooper would 'relish' the opportunity to become Cardiff City boss but Carlton Palmer has warned that Bluebirds fans could turn on him quickly if results aren't up to scratch.

That's according to PA sports reporter Phil Blanche, who covers Welsh football, via X.

Cooper was sacked by Premier League new boys Leicester City last month, following a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea, having only been appointed to the dugout at the King Power Stadium ahead of the current campaign.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are still under the stewardship of interim boss Omer Riza, who took the managerial reins following the sacking of Erol Bulut back in September.

Pundit reacts to Cooper, Cardiff developments

Football League World asked Palmer if Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan should ignore any potential fan reaction due to Cooper's Swans links, and hire him.

The former England international exclusively told FLW: "Steve Cooper, recently sacked from Leicester City, is apparently interested in the Cardiff City job.

"Steve, unfairly in my opinion, was dispatched from his job at Leicester City (with) supposed to be senior players saying that they didn't like his methods, or the way that he was.

"I think it's a disgrace.

"They're outside of the bottom three.

"It's one of those, be careful what you wish for.

"This is interesting, Cardiff City, they were rock-bottom, they're now outside of the bottom three.

"It would be a fantastic coup for them if they get Steve Cooper.

"Obviously, for Steve Cooper, he's come out, he's said he is interested in the job and he's wary of the fact that he was manager of Swansea.

"I don't think that's really a problem for me.

"Obviously, from the supporters' point of view, once you're doing well you'll be alright.

"When you're not doing well, you're going to get under severe criticism.

"But to get a manager like Steve Cooper, we've seen what he's done with Nottingham Forest, taken them from rock-bottom and got them promoted.

"We've seen how it happens before.

"Rafa Benitez was manager of Liverpool, he went to Everton.

"Yes, they're all fine at the start, but when results aren't going well, then they'll turn on you.

"That's a fact, and you know that before you go into the job.

"I think if I was Tan, I would be moving on (with) this quickly because we're coming to that period at Christmas time when sacking season starts, and Steve Cooper will be in demand.

"He has proven what he's capable of doing in the Championship before, and he could do it again given the resources.

"So, I think Vincent Tan should ignore any potential fan reaction, and move on this quickly.

"Because trust me, I think Steve Cooper will be in demand in the next month or so."

Negative supporters' reaction would be inevitable if Cooper moved to Cardiff

As mentioned by Palmer, Cooper boasts an impressive Championship CV and would be a shrewd hire for the Bluebirds from that point of view.

However, the South Wales Derby played out between the Swans and the Bluebirds is one of the fiercest rivalries in the Football League, and is a divide that the ex-Swansea boss should be wary of crossing, given the negative reaction he could be subject to from vocal supporters of both sides.

Furthermore, Cooper's assistant at all three clubs he has managed was former Swans stalwart Alan Tate, and it would be a particularly controversial move if Tate also moved to the Cardiff City Stadium, having made over 300 appearances for Swansea.