Kortrijk's Alexandersson 'not in talks with Cardiff'

Freyr Alexandersson says he will stay with Belgian club KV Kortrijk despite being linked with the managerial vacancy at Cardiff City.

Alexandersson is one of several names under consideration as the Bluebirds search for a successor to Erol Bulut, who they sacked on Sunday.

Reports in the Belgian media, external claimed Alexandersson had flown to the Welsh capital for talks last week.

But Kortrijk, who like Championship side Cardiff are owned by Vincent Tan, have strongly denied those claims.

A club statement read: "KVK and coach Freyr Alexandersson were stunned today to learn of the erroneous reporting in various media. Alexandersson was not in Wales last week and remains coach of KV Kortrijk."

Alexandersson added: "I am not in talks with Cardiff and a departure is not on the agenda. Together with our fans, players and staff we are working hard on the future of KVK."

Cardiff, who sacked Bulut with the club bottom of the Championship table, have named Omer Riza as interim manager as they compile a shortlist of potential replacements.

Alexandersson is among those names having impressed since taking over at Kortrijk.

Cardiff’s chief executive Ken Choo, who is said to be leading the search for a new manager, is managing director at the Belgium Pro-League side.

The Icelandic coach won praise for saving Kortrijk from relegation from the Pro-League after the club had taken just 10 points from 20 games prior to his appointment in January.

A former manager of the Iceland women’s national side, and assistant to the men’s team, Alexandersson made his breakthrough with Lyngby Boldklub, helping the former Danish champions back into the top flight and then pulling off a dramatic fight for safety in their first season.

He has previously expressed an ambition to work in British football and claimed to have previously spoken about the Cardiff job, saying he “would love” to coach the Bluebirds in the future.

However, Tan is believed to be wary about undermining the stability at his Belgian side should he opt to bring Alexandersson to south Wales.