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Cardiff City sack Malky Mackay

By on December 27, 2013

20131227-183723.jpgMalky Mackay has been handed a cruel holiday present from the Cardiff City board of directors in the form of the sack following a 3-0 loss to Sunderland. The Scottish manager had been facing the axe for weeks and over nearly a week ago was reportedly asked to either resign or be sacked by Tan.

Although Tan seemingly withdrew those threats, he admitted that he was forced to sack Mackay, who had lead the club to promotion from the Championship last season, by the publicity of their fallout. The sack seemed inevitable, yet this coming from a man who had claimed Mackay’s job was somewhat safe under a week ago has lead to more controversy surrounding the Malaysian businessman. Tan already angered Cardiff fans over the summer when changing the club’s traditional blue home kit to red in order to increase overseas marketability, but had the nerve to defend his actions following the sacking of Mackay, claiming: “Far too much dirty linen has been exposed to the public gaze but, I stress, not by me. There has been a good deal of publicity generated by, and about, Mr Malky Mackay for the last few months.

“I have deliberately not responded to this, hoping that the club can be judged on its football rather than personalised arguments about who said what to whom.

“I have, however, regretfully concluded that it is no longer fair to the club, its players, its fans and the public more generally for this uncomfortable state of affairs to continue. Cardiff City Football Club means far too much to us all for it to be distracted by this.”

Mackay has left Cardiff in 16th place in the Premier League just one point above relegation but has been tipped as a possible replacement for Steve Clarke at West Bromwich Albion after he admitted he had no interest in leaving football management. Meanwhile Cardiff are expected to bring in former Manchester United forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Norway as Malkay’s replacement. However it would be hard for Tan to find a manager more devout to his position than Mackay, who even released a heartfelt statement through the League Managers’ Association despite his troubles with Tan.

“It is with the deepest and most sincere regret that I today confirm my sacking as Manager of Cardiff City FC,” the statement read.

“As disappointing as today’s decision is, I am already able to look back at my time at Cardiff City FC with immense pride and joy given the number of milestones the Club achieved during the last 2½ years. A League Cup Final appearance followed by promotion to The Barclays Premier League for the very first time, achieved as winners of The Championship, allowed the Club a move back to this elite level after a 51 year absence.

“I have enjoyed my time immensely at this fine Club, in this great City, and throughout I’ve always attempted to put my own personal stamp on specific areas that I believe to be all-important, such as the implementation of a progressive culture as well a complete professional approach to all aspects of day-to-day management, that are required if you are to become a top Club – and more importantly to remain as one.

“I would like to thank my players, all of my direct footballing staff, all the people behind the scenes at the Club and most importantly the people of Cardiff, who have stood behind me resolutely throughout my time here and especially in these recent turbulent months. I leave with my head held high having gained a level of experience that, upon reflection, I suspect would have been difficult to find anywhere else in British Football.

“The foundations laid at Cardiff City FC will provide a solid platform for my successor, and for the sake of the Club, I hope that all of the progress that has been made so far will not be impaired in any way by today’s enforced changes.”

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.