Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Nathan Jones, Cardiff City twist | OneFootball

Nathan Jones had been one of the candidates for the Cardiff City job but has dropped out of the race

Current Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones has been one of the key names linked with the vacant manager role at Cardiff City in recent weeks.

Journalist Darren Witcoop originally revealed Jones as a Cardiff target, before publishing an update that the Addicks manager is set to remain with Charlton.

It was a blow for the Bluebirds, but a massive boost for the Addicks, who pass each other this summer as Cardiff drop into League One and Charlton move up to the Championship.

We asked Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie how important this latest turn is for Charlton.

Jones right to swerve Cardiff advance

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said: “It's a massive boost for Charlton, there's no doubt about that.

“I think what he's done, since he's gone in, stabilised the club, as Nathan does really well.

“It is what it says, at times, on the tin with Nathan. He's hard to beat. He's well organised. You can see his enthusiasm, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and he gets the best out of his players.

“So, I do hope that they give him an opportunity to bring players into Charlton, because that's a club that could be on the verge of going up and really having a good season, given the chance to go and do that.

“And I think they've got the right person there that can take them there.

“I think Cardiff at the moment are in a real tough situation with where they're at, at the moment.

“And I just think Nathan knows and will realise that, that he's at a very good football club and that's probably why he just said, ‘nope, it's not happening and I'm staying at Charlton’, and fair play to him.”

The Jones saga should jolt Charlton into action

Being sought after and chased by another club will certainly bolster Jones’ standing at the club.

It was already strong following his play-off triumph, earning the Addicks a somewhat unexpected place in the Championship next term, but the decision-makers at the Valley will now know they have to keep Jones happy this summer, or risk potentially losing him to a rival.

As Hendrie outlines, this will mean investment to ensure he has the tools to go into the second tier with Charlton and keep them there.

In fairness to the power-brokers at Charlton, they were no slouches in the market last time round, moving to bring Matty Godden to the club, who netted an impressive 18 league goals.

But they will need to go again to stand any hope of surviving in the Championship.

In truth, aside from Jones being a boyhood Cardiff fan, the Bluebirds stood little chance of luring the Charlton boss away from a club he’s just been promoted with, to drop back down into the division he’s just got out of, to join a club that is not without its health warnings.

Nevertheless, it will be warning enough that other clubs are watching the progress of Jones, and the next offer may be more suitable.