' VINCENT TAN TEAM SELECTIONS / TEAM TALKS ' SAYS

Kevin McNaughton opens up on Malky Mackay’s ‘frosty’ relationship with Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan
By Callum Ellis

Thursday 23rd August 2018

McNaughton. “I think Vincent tried to get involved with the team selection so I don’t think Malky was too happy."


“Tan used to come in the changing room and give us a speech before the game. It was like somebody who didn’t know anything about football trying to get you up for a game.”


Kevin McNaughton helped the Bluebirds gain promotion to the top flight under former manager Mackay before he was relieved of his duties in December 2013.

Despite being a consistent figure in Cardiff’s title winning campaign, the former Scotland international only featured five times in the Premier League.

Speaking on the Soccer FM podcast, McNaughton opened up on the relationship between Mackay and the Malaysian owner Tan during the Bluebirds’ first season in the top flight.

“They just didn’t get on,” said McNaughton. “I think Vincent tried to get involved with the team selection so I don’t think Malky was too happy.

“That was at the start of the season so it was a bit of a frosty relationship for the upcoming months.

“Eventually it just led to him being sacked, but I think there was some issues with some of the transfers.”


McNaughton spent time on loan with Bolton Wanderers during the 2013-14 campaign, and was hoping to rejoin the Trotters after finding first team minutes hard to come by with Cardiff.

“I was sat outside Malky’s office waiting to speak to him to go back on loan to Bolton. It was the day he was in the meeting getting sacked while I was sat outside.

“The secretary was like ‘they are going to be in there for ages Kevin’, so I said I’ll see him tomorrow and jumped in my car and drove home.

“I switched Sky Sports News on and he’d been sacked! That was what that meeting was about.”


The full-back revealed how he went from playing in the Championship with Bolton to making an appearance at the Emirates.

He continued: “I came in the next day and all the lads were getting prepared for Arsenal at the weekend.

“I hadn’t been travelling with the squad at all so I thought ‘I’ll just leave it this week until the dust settles’ and then I’ll try and get back out on loan when the new manager comes in.

“I then went to training on the Friday. There were two lads ahead of me in the pecking order, but they both got injured.

“I didn’t have any clothes to travel because I hadn’t been in the squad. Then the assistant came up to me and said ‘you might want to go home and get your gear because you’re probably going to be playing tomorrow against Arsenal’.

“From sitting outside the manager’s door waiting to go away, I was playing against Arsenal the following week.”


McNaughton also revealed how the Malaysian owner Tan gave the Bluebirds a pep talk before each game.

“He’s a businessman. He’s got into football and got the bug, but I wouldn’t say he has a massive knowledge of football.

“He used to come in the changing room and give us a speech before the game. It was like somebody who didn’t know anything about football trying to get you up for a game.”


A goalless draw with Charlton Athletic was enough to secure promotion to the Premier League, and McNaughton reflected on the night that the Bluebirds created history.

“It was brilliant. We got to the play-offs and fell short of the play-offs a few times on the final day as well.

“We sort of scrambled over the line to be honest. We drew with Charlton and it was Hull who got beat on the same night, so we just had to better their result.

“That was some night – it was brilliant. I was on the pitch and crowdsurfing!”

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Cardiff City icon reveals the terse relationship between Vincent Tan and Malky Mackay that led to the manager's sacking - Wales Online

By Matthew Southcombe

Thursday 23rd August 2018

Cardiff City icon Kevin McNaughton has revealed the fractious nature of the relationship between former Bluebirds manager Malky Mackay and owner Vincent Tan.

The Scot was sacked by Tan in December 2013 with the club on the cusp of the Premier League drop zone.

After Mackay had led the Bluebirds to the English top flight, the two saw their relationship fall apart in very public fashion.

The Malaysian business owner issued an explosive statement in which he said his manager 'would not be getting a single penny' in the January transfer window after Mackay said he was targeting three new faces.


Big money signings had already flopped and the end was nigh for Mackay.

It soon led to his dismissal and Tan revealing alleged racist, sexist and homophobic text messages sent between the former manager and his close aide Iain Moody, messages that Mackay later apologised for.

“They (Mackay and Tan) just didn’t get on,” McNaughton told the Soccer FM Podcast.

“I think Vincent tried to get involved with the team selection so I don’t think Malky was too happy.

“That was at the start of the season so it was a bit of a frosty relationship for the upcoming months.

“Eventually it just led to him being sacked, but I think there was some issues with some of the transfers.”

McNaughton was actually closer to Mackay's final hours in charge of the club then most.

After falling down the pecking order in the Welsh capital, the defender went out on loan at Bolton and was due to meet Mackay to try and secure another loan move.

As he was waiting for his meeting with the manager, it turned out Mackay was held up because he was in the process of being sacked.

And in a strange twist of fate it led to the Cardiff favourite breaking back into the first team.

“I was sat outside Malky’s office waiting to speak to him to go back on loan to Bolton.," he said. "It was the day he was in the meeting getting sacked while I was sat outside.

“The secretary was like ‘they are going to be in there for ages Kevin’, so I said I’ll see him tomorrow and jumped in my car and drove home.

“I switched Sky Sports News on and he’d been sacked. That was what that meeting was about.

“I came in the next day and all the lads were getting prepared for Arsenal at the weekend.

“I hadn’t been travelling with the squad at all so I thought ‘I’ll just leave it this week until the dust settles’ and then I’ll try and get back out on loan when the new manager comes in.

“I then went to training on the Friday. There were two lads ahead of me in the pecking order, but they both got injured.

“I didn’t have any clothes to travel because I hadn’t been in the squad. Then the assistant came up to me and said ‘you might want to go home and get your gear because you’re probably going to be playing tomorrow against Arsenal’."

McNaughton also went on to reveal how Tan used to enter the changing rooms before matches and issue a team talk.

“He’s a businessman. He’s got into football and got the bug, but I wouldn’t say he has a massive knowledge of football," concluded McNaughton.

“He used to come in the changing room and give us a speech before the game. It was like somebody who didn’t know anything about football trying to get you up for a game.”

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Explains a lot but would have been more interesting to read at the time - its ancient history now.

Tan has changed from a bond villain to a successful, pragmatic owner who has been an integral element in helping this club get to the premier league. Judging from the business we have done to the statements from the club and club personal, I believe he has paved a positive long term business strategy to turn this club into a long term financially stable outfit which is something we haven't been in a long long time.

It is definitely true to say that he was a fish out of water in the early days of his ownership but since reverting the re-brand things have progressed enormously within the club, the club atmosphere and culture has improved beyond recognition, he has cut the debt in half and we are in the premier league.

Fingers crossed he doesn't decide to give any more pre-game pep talks however!

So now we know the truth, no wonder we got in so much f trouble

Explains a lot but would have been more interesting to read at the time - its ancient history now.

Tan has changed from a bond villain to a successful, pragmatic owner who has been an integral element in helping this club get to the premier league. Judging from the business we have done to the statements from the club and club personal, I believe he has paved a positive long term business strategy to turn this club into a long term financially stable outfit which is something we haven't been in a long long time.

It is definitely true to say that he was a fish out of water in the early days of his ownership but since reverting the re-brand things have progressed enormously within the club, the club atmosphere and culture has improved beyond recognition, he has cut the debt in half and we are in the premier league.

Fingers crossed he doesn't decide to give any more pre-game pep talks however!

It really does matter because at the time many knew the truth, but were smashed for trying to say what was really going on.

Ask yourself this question was that good for our club,manager & team, I think you know the answer.

We should not just bury the truth or ignore it, just because it happened in the past, the fans deserve to know the truth like anything else in life.

Not sure why he did this interview now. Don’t think it helps anyone, right now.

I have no doubts that it’s true, because some of this was reported at the time - this just confirms it.

Just my opinion of course, but I don’t think this helps. Could understand if this interview was done just after McNaughton left the club - but not now.

Not sure why he did this interview now. Don’t think it helps anyone, right now.

I have no doubts that it’s true, because some of this was reported at the time - this just confirms it.

Just my opinion of course, but I don’t think this helps. Could understand if this interview was done just after McNaughton left the club - but not now.

Agree it doesn’t change owt.

Doesn’t change the mistakes Tan made (and is rectifying).

Doesn’t change the poor signings that Malky made or how we were so unprepared for the Prem despite winning the championship after spending shed loads and then spending more in the pre season.

McNaugton doesn’t mention about Marshall not scoring which was the much repeated Tan storyn on here at the time.

Can you imagine if Tan tried to get into NW’s dressing room?

All he said is that Tan did a few motivational speeches for the team. I ain't a Tan fan but this is not unusual. It happens at Juventus every season.

If you're going after Tan I'd suggest sticking to facts such as him changing us to red and talking shit about football tactics (which we never saw implemented).

FAKE NEWS: Tan tried to choose the team.
REAL NEWS FROM THE QUOTES: Tan gave an owner's dressing room talk but didn't seem to know much about football.

And, if you look at my avatar, I'm not a Tan fan. Shoddy straw clutching and fake news here.

All history now...
Some journalist love to stir up when it comes to CCFC.

Never a dull moment at our our neighbours

Foreign owner tries to interfere shock

Eventually it lead to him being sacked no we know why he rightly sacked.

Anyway under the bridge as far as I'm concerned. We have a proper manager now.

I thought all of this was pretty much known anyway? Kev ain't really saying anything new!

Explains a lot but would have been more interesting to read at the time - its ancient history now.

Tan has changed from a bond villain to a successful, pragmatic owner who has been an integral element in helping this club get to the premier league. Judging from the business we have done to the statements from the club and club personal, I believe he has paved a positive long term business strategy to turn this club into a long term financially stable outfit which is something we haven't been in a long long time.

It is definitely true to say that he was a fish out of water in the early days of his ownership but since reverting the re-brand things have progressed enormously within the club, the club atmosphere and culture has improved beyond recognition, he has cut the debt in half and we are in the premier league.

Fingers crossed he doesn't decide to give any more pre-game pep talks however!

It really does matter because at the time many knew the truth, but were smashed for trying to say what was really going on.

Ask yourself this question was that good for our club,manager & team, I think you know the answer.

We should not just bury the truth or ignore it, just because it happened in the past, the fans deserve to know the truth like anything else in life.

Funny enough the article stops short of saying Tan actually tried picking the team but he did want to know why the players HE spent alot of money on were not getting in the side which in most peoples mind is fair.One thing about Warnock which is the thing that makes him stand out as a manager is not only his ability to put together a good team but respects the man who's money he's spending.Most were too busy wanking off on Malkys fist pump to see the truth.

Only my opinion,feel free to ban me if you don't like it.

Not sure why he did this interview now. Don’t think it helps anyone, right now.

I have no doubts that it’s true, because some of this was reported at the time - this just confirms it.

Just my opinion of course, but I don’t think this helps. Could understand if this interview was done just after McNaughton left the club - but not now.

I agree. If Kevin has given this interview now then I have just lost a lot of respect for a player whom I always enjoyed watching and who I thought always had the club at heart. To raise this now does not suggest that. We really don't need this to be raised again now. It serves no purpose other than to feed anti Tan sentiments with some.

Am really not concerned by what happened 5 years ago, its the here and now that matters, and where I see it the Bluebirds have never been in a better position on or off the pitch than they are now, we have a brilliant manager, prob the best we have ever had, a chairman who has learnt from his mistakes, onwards and upwards.

Who cares was five years ago.

Everybody has moved on.

So now we know the truth, no wonder we got in so much f trouble

The real truth Malky and Moody ripped Tan off, everybody seems to be brushing it under the carpet.

So now we know the truth, no wonder we got in so much f trouble

The real truth Malky and Moody ripped Tan off, everybody seems to be brushing it under the carpet.

The Tan haters won't want to hear that !!!!

Explains a lot really although most of us knew this.

Tan is questioning why his signings are not making the first 11. Acorn I would imagine being the main arguing point here. Understandable all of this.

Malky getting annoyed as for me it looks like he is being pressurized to play the signings. Once again Acorn being the main arquing point. All this does not make for a good dressing room and we paid for it.

What makes me laugh is all those that slag Malky off for his signings, once again Acorn being their arguing point, yet go very quite when it comes to questioning Warnocks signing of Madine. Oh hum.

Explains a lot really although most of us knew this.

Tan is questioning why his signings are not making the first 11. Acorn I would imagine being the main arguing point here. Understandable all of this.

Malky getting annoyed as for me it looks like he is being pressurized to play the signings. Once again Acorn being the main arquing point. All this does not make for a good dressing room and we paid for it.

What makes me laugh is all those that slag Malky off for his signings, once again Acorn being their arguing point, yet go very quite when it comes to questioning Warnocks signing of Madine. Oh hum.

We will have to judge Medine once he leaves but at the moment it looks like a poor signing but not in the same league as Acorn.
7m then got you a lot for your money even in the premiership, 6m now gets you little even in the championship. Its really not comparable.

Explains a lot really although most of us knew this.

Tan is questioning why his signings are not making the first 11. Acorn I would imagine being the main arguing point here. Understandable all of this.

Malky getting annoyed as for me it looks like he is being pressurized to play the signings. Once again Acorn being the main arquing point. All this does not make for a good dressing room and we paid for it.

What makes me laugh is all those that slag Malky off for his signings, once again Acorn being their arguing point, yet go very quite when it comes to questioning Warnocks signing of Madine. Oh hum.

We will have to judge Medine once he leaves but at the moment it looks like a poor signing but not in the same league as Acorn.
7m then got you a lot for your money even in the premiership, 6m now gets you little even in the championship. Its really not comparable.

Perhaps not but the point is all managers make mistakes. Adding to that with Tan pressurizing Malky to make good the transfers would have not helped the dressing room. Tan is just as much to blame than Malky here as far as I am concerned.

I think the article points to that.

So now we know the truth, no wonder we got in so much f trouble

The real truth Malky and Moody ripped Tan off, everybody seems to be brushing it under the carpet.

The Tan haters won't want to hear that !!!!

Evidence/ proof??

Tan proofed nothing and spent £2mill trying a fact.

So No evidence makes Malky innocent

As Mcnaughton said Tan and Malky did not get on, it happens. Thankfully Tan and Warnock do get on, and there seems to be a lot more trust between them, which can only be a good thing.

I seriously do implore people to leave this subject alone.

No doubt we all had opinions about the various shennanigans at the time. This is a very positive time for the club and we don't need to revisit these events at the moment.

At this moment in time Vincent Tan is a great owner and everyone is working together better than they ever have so, whilst I wouldn't want to prevent anyone saying what they choose to, I'd recommend that we regard that whole series of events as something in the past that we've learned from and get on with the present and the future

Why bring this rubbish up again. I think after the last time VT has learnt a lot!
I for one have a lot of time for Vincent Tan and all this post does is bring up negativity.

Explains a lot really although most of us knew this.

Tan is questioning why his signings are not making the first 11. Acorn I would imagine being the main arguing point here. Understandable all of this.

Malky getting annoyed as for me it looks like he is being pressurized to play the signings. Once again Acorn being the main arquing point. All this does not make for a good dressing room and we paid for it.

What makes me laugh is all those that slag Malky off for his signings, once again Acorn being their arguing point, yet go very quite when it comes to questioning Warnocks signing of Madine. Oh hum.

Yeah because Madine is on 45k a week. Oh hum.

An Madine didn’t cost six million out right. His two flick ons that led to goals and points that led to us gaining promotion is worth the add ons and the transfer fee. Oh hum.

Don’t start with all this pathetic agenda garbage.

Acorn is the single biggest waste of money flop signing in the history of Cardiff City Football Club. He contributed nothing at all for us. An cost us millions.

Acorn was useless, and if I had put money into the club like Tan and saw it wasted on a clown like him I would be livid.

So now we know the truth, no wonder we got in so much f trouble

The real truth Malky and Moody ripped Tan off, everybody seems to be brushing it under the carpet.

The Tan haters won't want to hear that !!!!

Evidence/ proof??

Tan proofed nothing and spent £2mill trying a fact.

So No evidence makes Malky innocent

Only one did a grovelling apology though

I don't think that's a good rule either not being able to provide evidence doesn't always mean your automatically inoccent. That's a dangerous thought process.

there is no owner/chaiman that wouldnt sack a manager who they thought had conned them.

and there is no ex manager that wouldnt be taking his chairman/owner to court for wrongful dismissal had he not done wrong.

christ some managers get pay offs for disaterous runs of results and shockingly bad transfer windows...

Why’s this even being dragged up for it’s done an dusted part of history.