Malky Mackay's stock continues to rise at Cardiff City

Mackay’s resoluteness in the face of Vincent Tan’s strong arm tactics

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan (in the middle)

And that presents itself as the biggest worry right now for Cardiff fans; that they could be in danger of losing their most prized asset at the club – their manager.

With Chris Hughton under huge pressure following heavy investment in the summer and a lack of results to show for them, there is increasing speculation that Norwich owner Delia Smith has Mackay in her sights, if Vincent Tan decides to do away with his Scottish manager following a chaotic month that has seen Mackay’s position at Cardiff come under threat.

Mackay, as already mentioned, had a memorable career as a Norwich player and is well loved by the fans and would be welcomed with open arms.

The fans have had a clash of heads with Tan over a number of issues the past year or so, with both the players and fans being of the opinion that the owner is interjecting too much in club affairs and that his disruptive ways could derail what is at present a very efficient set-up that is in place at the club.

Tan has made a series of bizarre decisions since taking over, starting with the changing of the colours of the club from blue to red. Large sections of fans are yet to come to terms with the change and have not adopted it. You would have every right to feel that way when your team is called the Bluebirds but sports the colour red in competitive action.

Following the final whistle in the game against Swansea, a group of fans in the Canton Stand held up a banner saying “Blue then – Blue now – Blue forever” and another that read “Tan Out”.

Some insiders describe Tan’s actions as reflective of a desire for attention borne out of the fact that he feels he does not get enough credit for the financial backing that he’s been giving to Cardiff. But surely, any attempt to earn more credit would not and should not involve destabilizing a manager who is both talented and respected and adored by the club’s fans.

In addition, there are some other reports that claim that Tan has, at times, tried to influence team selection and even tried to effect transfers without consulting with Mackay.

The only thing preventing Tan from firing Mackay at the moment seems to be the finer details of his contract. Mackay would be due a hefty sum if the club decides to terminate his services prematurely, and due to a long notice period, it is also believed that the Scotsman would be forced to pay up if he were to walk away of his own accord.

So the ideal situation for Tan to try and get rid of his incumbent manager would be if another employer came calling.

Fan favourite and backed by the players

Malky Mackay enjoys a very good relationship with Cardiff fans

Mackay has fortified his position with the fans; any manager who has delivered promotion to the top flight for the first time in 51 years and taken the team to a League Cup final, surely merits that much.

But during his time there, he has also brought about great chemistry in the team and he has at his disposal a group of players who are willing to give it all for the cause.

Midfielder Don Cowie sang Mackay’s praises for protecting him from all the off-field controversies.

“The manager never lets us use whatever happens outside the dressing room as an excuse. That’s a testament to how good he is as a manager.”

“He never lets what happens off the pitch creep into the dressing room or influence us.”

The players seem to absolutely adore him. Veteran Craig Bellamy recently went out and described Mackay as “the best young British boss out there”.

Mackay enjoys an excellent relationship with the fans as he always has involved them in the goings on at the club and never fails to thank them for the tremendous support and backing that they’ve given the club, treating them as valuable stakeholdera. Mackay said after the derby win:

“I am delighted for everyone at the football club. It has been a tough three or four weeks for everyone associated with the club and our fans.”

“To see 27,000 of them taking the roof off when the goal went in and the atmosphere they gave us all day is something for which I will be forever grateful. “

After the victory against Swansea, where the whole stadium erupted to generate widespread cacophony, Mackay made it a point to shake each of his players’ hands before facing the fans with a clenched fist and blowing kisses in their direction.

Rise in stock

Even before the recent behind-the-scenes fracas began, Mackay was making great strides as a manager of some potential – young, dynamic, with a vibrant outlook, and most importantly, a fine leader of men.

It is a career that has been built gradually from club to club, where with sound backing and an excellent squad of players to coach, he has consistently delivered the results.

He’s even managed to come out of the latest chaotic episode at Cardiff covered in greater glory, as he has displayed an ability to stay focussed and keep his players attuned to the primary objective even in the face of mounting hierarchical pressure.

Mackay has shown himself to be a manager who is extremely passionate about two things – his players and his fans; and it’s a combination that will serve him well throughout his career. He is the latest from the conveyor belt of managerial talent that constantly emerges from Scotland, following in the steps of the likes of Steve Clarke, Paul Lambert and David Moyes.

Malky Mackay’s stock continues to rise.

(Quotes and reports courtesy: The Guardian)