Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy has reiterated that the club will not rush into the free-agent market despite failing to strengthen the squad before the transfer deadline. The Bluebirds ended deadline day without adding a striker, winger or full-back, leaving Barry-Murphy with a squad that has now gone seven Championship games without a victory.
Barry-Murphy: No scrambling for signings
Barry-Murphy had previously left the door open to free-agent additions, saying the club were monitoring the market and would “wait and see” what options became available. But after Saturday's defeat to Bolton Wanderers, he struck a more cautious tone and insisted Cardiff would not sign players simply for the sake of it.
“We're always aware of who's available, but that's not our focus,” he said. “Just because we didn't get the players we wanted in before the end of the window, that doesn't mean that we react and start scrambling around trying to bring in players that are not right for the club.”
He added: “Our focus is on the players that are here and working with them to improve them and give them the belief and backing that is the most important thing. It's something that's not always been associated with Cardiff City. We believe in the players completely and we're going to support them.”
Barry-Murphy, however, did look towards January as a major opportunity to strengthen after a disappointing end to the summer window. “When it comes to January, we'll reinforce and improve the squad like we would have done in the previous window, but it wasn't possible,” he said. “But in January, I'm sure we will.”
Kortrijk coach resigns after heavy defeat
Vincent Tan's Belgian club KV Kortrijk have been dealt another blow after head coach Michiel Jonckheere reportedly submitted his resignation. Belgian journalist Imar Vandenabeele, who covers Kortrijk for HLN, reported on Monday that Jonckheere had decided to step down following Sunday's 3-0 defeat at La Louvière.
The result left Kortrijk bottom of the Belgian top flight with no points from their opening six matches, having scored just once and conceded 15 goals. The defeat appeared to be the final straw for Jonckheere, who admitted afterwards that he was “ashamed” of his team's display.
“I am ashamed. I didn’t see this coming. It was insufficient in every respect,” Jonckheere said following the defeat, according to Vandenabeele's report. “The only thing I can do is apologize to the fans. This is the biggest disappointment of my still-young coaching career.”
Jonckheere had been under increasing pressure after Kortrijk's miserable start to the campaign, with Sunday's defeat leaving them in a desperate position just six games into the season. The 35-year-old was appointed head coach earlier this year and had been attempting to establish Kortrijk back in the Belgian top flight following their promotion.
There had appeared to be some support for Jonckheere within the club, with Vandenabeele reporting that the majority of the squad still stood behind him despite frustrations within the dressing room. That backing has now been tested further after Kortrijk's latest defeat, with Jonckheere deciding to bring his tenure to an end.
His resignation represents another managerial change involving Tan, who owns both Kortrijk and Cardiff City. Cardiff, meanwhile, appointed Brian Barry-Murphy in the summer of 2025 and secured promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt last season.
Bolton boss hails 'mad' win over Cardiff
Bolton Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher admitted football can be a “mad” game after his side stunned Cardiff City with a stoppage-time winner at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. The Trotters had lost their previous four Championship matches, despite Schumacher believing they had played well in those games, but they dug in against a Cardiff side who dominated possession and created the better chances.
Thierry Gale then headed home in the 90th minute to snatch a 1-0 victory and leave Cardiff still searching for their first league win of the season. Schumacher was particularly pleased with the resilience his players showed after a gruelling run of fixtures, describing Cardiff as one of the hardest opponents to face when a team is tired.
“Football can be a mad game,” Schumacher said. “Today we've had to show another side of us, which is really pleasing because it was difficult against a tough opponent, who are probably the hardest team to play against when you're tired. I think Tuesday night took a lot out of us. So for us to stick together, show that togetherness, show that heart to get through a tough afternoon, it was really pleasing.”
He added: "Here we had to show another side to us, which is really pleasing, because it was difficult against a tough opponent."
