Solskjaer favourite to take Mackay's place at Cardiff

The civil war between Cardiff owner Vincent Tan and Malky Mackay reached its logical and inevitable conclusion yesterday with the sacking of the club’s Scottish manager.

Mackay’s exit has been on the cards since head of recruitment Iain Moody was dismissed in October for an alleged transfer window overspend.

Mackay’s desire to add to his squad in January further riled Tan and it came as no surprise when Mackay was “relieved of his duties” 11 days after Tan’s email ultimatum that he resign or be sacked.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Mackay.

Although Press Association Sport understands that no formal offer has yet been made to the former Manchester United striker and current Molde manager, he is firmly on the Bluebirds’ radar.

Just last week Molde confirmed they had received approaches for Solskjaer, whose contract expires next year, but would not reveal from which clubs.

It is also understood that the next Bluebirds’ boss will be backed by Tan in the transfer window; Mackay was told just last week ”not a single penny” would be available to him in January.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, Turkish journeyman Yilmaz Vural and Basle boss Murat Yakin are also believed to be among the contenders.

Mackay responded to his dismissal by releasing a statement, and believes his accomplishments in leading the club to the 2012 League Cup final, the 2013 Championship title and a solid start to their maiden Premier League campaign, give him reason to be proud of his time in the Welsh capital.

He said: ”I leave with my head held high having gained a level of experience that, upon reflection, I suspect would have been difficult to find anywhere else in British football.

”The foundations laid at Cardiff City will provide a solid platform for my successor, and for the sake of the club, I hope that all of the progress that has been made so far will not be impaired in any way by today’s enforced changes.”

He added: ”As disappointing as today’s decision is, I am already able to look back at my time at Cardiff City FC with immense pride and joy given the number of milestones the club achieved during the last two and a half years.

”A League Cup Final appearance followed by promotion to the Barclays Premier League for the very first time, achieved as winners of the Championship, allowed the club a move back to this elite level after a 51-year absence.”

Tan claimed the decision to dispense with the services of Mackay was down to the Scot airing the club’s ”dirty linen” in public.

”There has been a good deal of publicity generated by, and about, Mr Malky Mackay for the last few months,” he said in a statement.

”Indeed, far too much dirty linen has been exposed to the public gaze but, I stress, not by me.

”Indeed, I have deliberately not responded to this, hoping that the club can be judged on its football rather than personalised arguments about who said what to whom.

”I have, however, regretfully concluded that it is no longer fair to the club, its players, its fans and the public more generally for this uncomfortable state of affairs to continue.”