Sabri Lamouchi has been appointed as the new manager of Cardiff City.
The 51-year-old former France international who was in charge of Nottingham Forest between June 2019 and October 2020 has signed a deal to replace Mark Hudson, who was sacked on January 14 after just 18 games in charge.
Ex-Cardiff defender and cult hero Sol Bamba has been named as his assistant. Lamouchi coached Bamba, 38, during his time as manager of the Ivory Coast national team between 2012 and 2014.
First team coach Dean Whitehead had taken charge while a search for Hudson’s successor was conducted, with the former Sunderland and Stoke midfielder overseeing a 1-0 loss to Millwall in the league and a 5-2 defeat to Leeds in the FA Cup third round replay.
Whitehead will remain at the club under the new regime, as will coach Tom Ramasut and goalkeeping coach Graham Stack.
The Bluebirds are 21st in the Championship table at present, three points above Huddersfield immediately below them, who boast two games in hand.
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Speaking to the club’s official website, Cardiff owner Vincent Tan said: “I’d like to welcome Sabri to Cardiff City and offer him my full support. His appointment has come about following a period of serious consideration and reflection as to what is the best for our club.
“I’m confident that Sabri will be able to deliver what we know this squad is capable of achieving and I look forward to the games that we have ahead of us.
“I’d also like to welcome back Sol to Sabri’s coaching staff, a sentiment I know that you will share. I want to thank Dean [Whitehead], Tom [Ramasut] and Graham [Stack] for their commitment and diligence during the interim period and am pleased that they will be part of our plans going forward.”