LAST UPDATE | 22 Jan 2021

CARDIFF CITY HAVE confirmed the appointment of Mick McCarthy as their new manager for the remainder of the season.

McCarthy, the former Republic of Ireland, Sunderland and Wolves boss, will succeed Neil Harris, who left the club on Thursday after suffering six straight defeats.

The 61-year-old parted company with Apoel on 6 January after just nine games and two months with the Cypriot champions.

McCarthy’s previous job was his second spell with the Republic, which ended last April after the coronavirus pandemic caused the Euro 2020 play-offs to be postponed and Stephen Kenny replaced him.

His last post in club management was a six-year spell at Ipswich between 2012 and 2018.

Cardiff’s hierarchy have turned to the experienced McCarthy after slipping to 15th place in the Sky Bet Championship, closer to the relegation zone than the play-off places which they are 13 points adrift of.

“I want to get the Club back to winning games and I want to get smiles back on the players’ faces. If we do that, then we’ll get smiles back on the fans,” McCarthy said as the club officially announced his appointment.

“We’ve got a good squad of players and I’m looking forward to getting down to work.”

With McCarthy’s long-term assistant Terry Connor also joining Cardiff, Vincent Tan said:

“I’d like to personally welcome Mick and Terry to our Football Club and wish them the very best of luck. I’ve enjoyed the brief talk I’ve had with Mick and I’m confident  that he’s the right man to take on the responsibility of improving our performances and fortunes.”

McCarthy will be in charge in time for Cardiff’s next game at Barnsley on Wednesday, his birthplace and where the former defender began his playing career.