Malky cannot win this one,Sadly there is only one winner

Malky cannot win this one,Sadly there is only one winner Tan.
I have to agree with Paul Abbandonato
Very interesting read.


Paul Abbandonato: Cardiff City battle with Vincent Tan is one Malky Mackay cannot win
Tuesday 17th Dec 2013


Cardiff City never make things easy for themselves, do they?


The Bluebirds boss has the support of the fans but, following Vincent Tan's statement on trensfer funds, the future has never looked more bleak


Malky Mackay was given barely 48 hours to celebrate the much-needed Premier League victory over West Brom before his uneasy truce with Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan erupted into close on open warfare.

What would have happened had the Bluebirds lost to the Baggies... the instant sack for Mackay, as opposed to Steve Clarke?.

That is speculative guess work, of course, but last night’s no-holds barred official club statement makes is abundantly clear Mackay is in the fight of his career to hold onto his job.

This makes the Iain Moody affair looks like small fry. Sadly, and nobody will know this better than the man himself, it is a battle Mackay simply cannot win.

The fans can talk about pro-Mackay protests as much as they want – and they do.

They can chant ‘Don’t sack Mackay’ until they are hoarse – and they do.

But the fact is Tan owns the club and Mackay is his employee. Managers holding sway over the boss man in football matters like this are as rare as a Cardiff City season without drama.

If Mackay goes, a new manager will be brought in. Quite rightly those fans will be 100 per cent behind the new man at the helm, whatever fond affection in which they may hold Mackay.

Malky, I’m afraid, will be history. It’s just the nature of the football beast.

So what happens next? Well, who can say with any degree of certainty given events surrounding Cardiff City FC in recent times?

There are said to be close on three million reasons why Mackay won’t walk out, the claimed sum of compensation he is said to be entitled to should he be dismissed with plenty of time still to serve on his contract.

But it is quite obvious, and has been for some time, that the rapport between Mackay and Tan is completely broken down. It is said the two men don’t even talk, haven’t done since the Moody furore first broke out.

Hardly a harmonious way in which to run any football club, let alone one doing battle so splendidly with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and co in the world’s biggest league.

Frankly, I’m amazed Mackay is still in a job full stop. That he is, I believe, is down to the calming influence behind the scenes of City chairman Mehmet Dalman, a hugely respected figure who has doubtless batted Malky’s corner heavily.


But Dalman’s words of support can only go so far. Ultimately, the key decisions at Cardiff City are made by Tan. And rightly so too, given it is his multi-millions which have bankrolled the Premier League dream, whatever one may think of some of his highly contentious decision making.

My guess is that the never to be forgotten 1-0 triumph over Swansea bought Mackay time, as did Kim Bo-Kyung’s last minute equaliser against Manchester United.

His team scoreless and lacking flair, the pressure was back on Mackay following drab displays against Crystal Palace and Stoke. The fans, previously so supportive, were becoming restless at the negative style of football being employed.

Mackay at last threw off the shackles against West Brom, picking Peter Odemwingie and Craig Noone to support the previously isolated Fraizer Campbell, and the upshot was perhaps the most purposeful, front foot display of the season.

Yet the buzz created around the Welsh capital over that result evaporated in an instant with the stinging comments in the statement issued by chief executive Simon Lim last night.

Tan was unhappy with Mackay going public about his wishes in the January transfer window without first discussing the matter with him. A pretty difficult task, considering the two men don’t even talk!

Mackay had unfairly raised expectations of the fans, according to Tan, who says not a single penny will be available for new buys. Already Mackay had overspent by £15m during the summer, we were told, and he had been given enough financial backing already with which to make the Bluebirds a Premier League force.

Phew, no holding back there then.

Personally, I’m not sure Mackay did too much wrong. His comments, reported on the back page of Monday’s Echo, simply stated he would like to strengthen with a defender, midfielder and striker next month.

Hardly transfer rocket science that, is it. Chuck in a goalkeeper and Mackay would have had the Grand Slam.

He also pointed out, of course, the need to talk to Dalman who would then “discuss it with the Board and our owners and I will take my lead from them.”

Pretty innocuous manager-speak, I think you’ll agree, but enough to rile Tan who, as the seventh biggest spending Premier League owner during the summer, believes Mackay already has more than enough quality at his disposal to get the job done.

Do you know, I think the two men are right, however much of a fence sitter I may appear to be in saying that.

Mackay is correct in wishing to bolster his options for the second half of the season, his Bluebirds having fought tenaciously thus far to get a foothold in the Premier League.

But Tan is also correct because three times this summer he sanctioned cheques which broke Cardiff City’s transfer record.

I don’t pretend to know the innermost thoughts of Vincent Tan, but if I had spent £10m on signing Andreas Cornelius and John Brayford, I’d possibly also be questioning the value of that huge outlay right at this moment in time.

I can’t wait to hear Malky’s views on last night’s outburst by Tan, but for the time being he will be professional, get his head down and prepare his team for the next match.

Which just happens to be against Liverpool at Anfield and bang in form Luis Suarez.

Cardiff City never make things easy for themselves, do they?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/the ... 25187.html

I do agree In so much as there can only be one winner, however if I were Malky I would come out all guns blazing and tell a few home truths about our beloved dictator and the conditions he's had to work under, he's got nothing to lose !

I do agree In so much as there can only be one winner, however if I were Malky I would come out all guns blazing and tell a few home truths about our beloved dictator and the conditions he's had to work under, he's got nothing to lose !

you have no idea about the conditions hes had to work under.

I do agree In so much as there can only be one winner, however if I were Malky I would come out all guns blazing and tell a few home truths about our beloved dictator and the conditions he's had to work under, he's got nothing to lose !

That will be the book

I do agree In so much as there can only be one winner, however if I were Malky I would come out all guns blazing and tell a few home truths about our beloved dictator and the conditions he's had to work under, he's got nothing to lose !

you have no idea about the conditions hes had to work under.

No you're right I haven't. , but I'm sure it would make interesting reading.
Do you honestly think that Working for a crackpot like Tan would be easy !!??

i have no idea if he is a crackpot.


Also, it seems they have had no contact for a considerable amount of time, so the better question would be how is malky getting on with Dalman/Lim?

i have no idea if he is a crackpot.


Also, it seems they have had no contact for a considerable amount of time, so the better question would be how is malky getting on with Dalman/Lim?

Tans puppets you mean ??

I tend to agree that neither is in the right here.

We simply don't know who is right or wrong about the summer spending but, as a result, Malky made a, thinly veiled, attempt to garner support and build expectation by going public with his "wish list". VT then decided to go public with his answer !!

The points made about Cornelius and Brayford are very pertinent and we all have to question the value added by that £10m outlay. A newly promoted club simply doesn't have the luxury of having £10m to invest in squad players or players with long term potential.

Now, of course, there is some room for negotiation should Malky be able to generate some funds, e.g. sell Conway, Connolly, SuperKev, Brayford, etc and if this had been done behind closed doors it would have probably done in that manner but maybe even that ain't going to happen now.

Personally, whilst I don't want Malky to go, but I think he was unwise to take the action he did and he is now in a very difficult position. However, I still think he should stay and brave out this latest storm. VT has to get over this or sack Malky, simple as that, but if he does get rid of Malky any new manager would want more funds to strengthen/change the squad in January and that may be the saving grace for Malky.

For what it's worth, my thoughts are this - Tan doesn't suffer fools gladly, and why should he when he's forked out upwards of £80 million. That doesn't mean he won't back those who he thinks will do a good job for him -as he has done with MM this summer. However, I think the comments from MM re wanting 3 players in January and Tan's response, are to some degree, red herrings.
I think the seeds of the rift occurred when Moody was sacked. The ridiculous over-reaction from messageboards and the media was one thing - the reaction of MM was another. It was evident to Tan that Moody has not only over-spent, but had also 'wasted' a considerable sum of the money made available for transfers, ie Brayford, Odemwingie, and Cornelius. MM chose to back Moody thus endorsing the purchases. That, I believe, is where things went sour. Whether MM refused to speak to Tan or vice versa I don't know, I'm guessing though that MM was the instigator.
The recent comments from MM that Cornelius isn't ready for the Prem and that £8 million doesn't buy you a Prem striker [whilst then saying he wants to bring in a striker in January !], must have been like a red rag to a bull as far as Tan is concerned - and I can see why. On top of this why should he trust his money with MM again ? his judgement has proven to be erratic at best.
I don't think Tan is 'forcing' MM out - if he wants him to go and there is a replacement manager ready, then he'll sack him. Maybe he just hasn't got that man in place, maybe he's waiting to see if results up to Christmas pick up ?

This..

you take in to account tonight's statement regards figures of £50 million (with add ons), plus the £15 million from last season, then Mackay has had £65 million to spend in 18 months, that's hardly Tan not backing his manager.

In return this season, we've seen tediously negative football, from a very limited manager. He grossly over spent on Caulker and Medel, decent, but not great players that they are. And appears to have wasted £10 million on Cornelius and Brayford, two players who have contributed next to nothing so far this season. What owner would want to give Mackay more money. Let's not forget, prior to Saturday this was a team who'd won one in nine, and haven't scored in their last four away games, and were comprehensively played off the park by a Palace team considered by many to be the worst in the division.

I think MM and VT relationship is now beyond repair sadly.....so a severance package would be the sensible option.
With a bit of compromise from both sides, for the good of our club.

Malky is a dead man walking I think it's time to bring this sorry saga to an end so the club can move on. We must be forever thankful to Malky for getting us into the Premier League but Tan and Malky must surely get together work out a severance package. A sad day in our history today Tan has virtually wielded the axe with that statement via his mouth piece Lim.

Yeah, agree with some comments above that Malky is a dead man walking. If we sack him then I actually think we will go down, no matter who we bring in. I would loved to be proved wrong but just don't think it will happen.

I fully anticipate Tan to sack Malky at the first opportunity. Get ready for Malky's dismissal to be confirmed after our game against Liverpool.

If Lim's 'statement' is an official one, then why isn't it on the club website?

If Lim's 'statement' is an official one, then why isn't it on the club website?

Oh its def official, Simon Lim, contacted all the Media, I spoke to Media Wales reporters, Lim was adamant he wanted it all out ASAP.

ITs like watching a good mate getting a pasting in the boxing ring. you admire his spirit at not going down, but its sad to see and feel like telling him to throw the towell in and walk away.

Tan is a mate of yours? I heard he drinks in the Ninian!

ITs like watching a good mate getting a pasting in the boxing ring. you admire his spirit at not going down, but its sad to see and feel like telling him to throw the towell in and walk away.

Yep about sums it up.

Do we buy a ringside ticket next time.

I do agree In so much as there can only be one winner, however if I were Malky I would come out all guns blazing and tell a few home truths about our beloved dictator and the conditions he's had to work under, he's got nothing to lose !

Except his compenstation.

Tan will end up paying him off and part of it will be he doesnt say a word.