Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay: Everton talk is flattering, but I'm focused on the Bluebirds
Cardiff City and Swansea City managers both insist they are focused on current clubs as links with Everton hotseat refuse to disappear.
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay says he’s flattered to be linked to the vacant Everton job but insists he’s focused on his Bluebirds Premier League challenge.
Talking live in the Match of the Day studio, the Scot, who is third favourite to replace the outgoing David Moyes, was asked by host Gary Lineker whether the Goodison Park job would interest him.
Sat next to Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup, Mackay said: “It’s very flattering to be linked to such a job like that but to be fair I’ve got respect for my own club.
“We’ve built something up and we’re really looking forward to coming into the Premier League and I’ve got a lot of hard work to do over the summer, concentrating on my job, as I’m doing at the moment.”
When pressed further by the former Tottenham, Everton and Barcelona striker, who asked “Is that a definitive no then?”
Mackay responded with: “That’s an ask Michael.”
Laudrup said: “I was already asked the other day and I agree, it’s always flattering to be linked to big clubs but after a great season with Swansea, we have another one next year.
“There are some big shoes to fill at Everton because their manager has been there more than 10 years which is just incredible.”
Lineker finished the debate by saying: “I’ll take that as a yes from both of you.”
Former Swans boss Roberto Martinez is currently favourite for the Toffees post after his heroic FA Cup win for Wigan on Saturday while Celtic’s Neil Lennon is second favourite.
Earlier in the show, Mackay paid tribute to his fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson, who waved goodbye to the Manchester United fans after their 2-1 Old Trafford win over Laudrup’s Swans.
The Bluebirds boss told how he first came into contact with Sir Alex when he loaned midfield starlet Tom Cleverly from United while at Watford.
He said: “Over the last two or three years he’s been excellent. He’s got a lot of time for young managers. He called me out of the blue the night before the Carling Cup final last year just to go through a few things like playing the match and not the occasion. He told me to make sure I got that message to the players. That was really humbling.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... ay-3661532