Wigan Athletic have hired Malky Mackay as their new manager, despite the former Cardiff City boss still shrouded by scandal and under investigation by the English FA following the alleged sending of racist, homophobic and sexist messages.
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Mackay, 42, was announced as the new boss of Championship side Wigan on Wednesday after Uwe Rosler was let go last week following the Latics’ alarming slide down the second-tier table.
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However the decision by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan to appoint Mackay has angered many in soccer circles in the UK after the Scotsman was embroiled in a huge scandal just three months ago. But Whelan has moved to quash criticism of Mackay’s appointment and had the following to say to Wigan’s website.“I know that this appointment will draw criticism in some quarters but we go into it with our eyes open and we have nothing to hide on this subject.
“Malky made a mistake, he knows that, we know that and we have discussed this issue at length face to face. He apologised publicly for what happened at the time and has paid for what he did in terms of the bad publicity he has received since and will no doubt continue to suffer in the future.
“But I believe that it is now time to move on. Contrary to the way he has been portrayed in recent months, the Malky Mackay I met this week, and who has been vouched for by the many different people from whom we have sought advice before making this appointment, is an honourable man.
“He is a committed family man with decent values and is a professional who has worked and thrived for over 20 years in the multi-cultural world of modern football. There is nothing more to say about this subject, and as far as I am concerned we draw a line under it from today.”
Mackay was fired as Cardiff City boss in December 2013 after Vincent Tan was unhappy with several dealings behind the scenes with Mackay’s close friend and head of recruitment, Iain Moody. The ongoing investigation into Mackay’s alleged text messages with Moody were released to the press following an internal investigation by Cardiff and they revealed sexist, racist and homophobic slurs.
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The release of that information coincided with Mackay closing in on being named the new Palace manager (the club where Moody was working) back in August 2014 following Tony Pulis’ departure. Many saw that act as Tan getting his revenge on Mackay after being depicted as the villain for many months.
Now many Wigan supporters have voiced their concerns about Mackay leading their club, and a local MP has written to the club urging against appointing Mackay.
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But, the Championship side have done just that as they hope Mackay can get them promoted back to the big time of the Premier League and the Scot can work wonders, just like he did at Cardiff, before this incredible scandal began to unravel around 12 months ago.