Wigan to interview Mackay
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed he will interview Malky Mackay for his club’s managerial vacancy despite the furore which followed his departure from Cardiff.
Latics, who are in the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom three just 18 months on from their famous FA Cup win, are currently talking to potential candidates about the post after sacking Uwe Rosler last Thursday.
Mackay was immediately installed as the favourite to take the reins having been out of the sport since he was dismissed by Cardiff in December 2013.
The Scot came close to taking over at Crystal Palace in August, only to see that possibility dashed when details emerged of text messages, sent by Mackay, which he later admitted were “disrespectful of other cultures”.
However, Whelan could be willing to offer Mackay a route back into the game as he promised to grant him an audience this week.
“I can confirm Malky Mackay has applied and we will speak to him,” Whelan told the Daily Telegraph. “I believe he deserves a fair hearing.
“We’ve had over 20 applications and started interviews on Tuesday. Hopefully we can make an appointment before the game this weekend against Middlesbrough.
“It’s an important job and I don’t like to mess around when I think I’ve got the right person.”
Last week, news of Mackay’s potential employment prompted Wigan MP Lisa Nandy to write a letter to Whelan which expressed her concerns over the Scot’s link to the position.
In that open letter, which she subsequently uploaded to her Twitter account, the Labour MP said: “I have been contacted by a number of constituents and Wigan Athletic supporters who have asked me to voice their concern in response to press reports suggesting the potential appointment of Malky Mackay as manager of Wigan Athletic.
It’s up to @LaticsOfficial who they appoint as manager but I've written to ask they take fans’ views into account http://t.co/HX8ATNXIWv
— Lisa Nandy (@lisanandy) November 14, 2014
“A number of constituents have pointed out that a football manager has a crucial position in the community and is a role model, especially for young people. Having worked with Wigan Athletic and your excellent Community Trust over the last four years, I am certain you share my view that respect for the diversity and tolerance that characterises Wigan is one of the finest features of the club.
“Whoever is appointed will be an ambassador for this town and based on the work your club has done to tackle discrimination over the years, I am confident you would seek to ensure that they share these values.”
The FA confirmed in August it was investigating the dossier of messages involving Mackay and Cardiff’s former head of recruitment Iain Moody, but there have yet to be any sanctions brought against either man.
