Malky Mackay 'not asked to resign' as Cardiff City manager

Malky Mackay says he was never asked to step down as Cardiff City manager during a fraught fortnight at the Premier League club.

The Scotsman was known to be upset at club owner Vincent Tan's decision to axe head of recruitment Iain Moody.

Mackay also stressed that they were "under budget" on transfers despite a summer of heavy recruitment.

"Under no circumstances was I asked to resign and at no time have I thought of resigning from the club," Mackay said.

Mackay added: "I've read various things in the last couple of weeks and I just need to clarify this, that we absolutely are under budget this summer.

"I'm really sorry for the fans and what they've been through over the last couple of weeks.

"It's been a difficult time for them where their club has been in the spotlight for non-footballing matters, so I absolutely feel where they're coming from.

"Obviously it's as a result of Iain Moody leaving the club and Iain is someone who is absolutely a class act, as far as I'm concerned.

"He was very impressive in the job that he's done for the football club and... he's had a huge part to play in the restructuring of my squad.

"He brought in over 20-odd players, so he's got a huge part to play in the recent success.

"He's someone that everyone here... that works for the football club will sadly be missed by them and he leaves with my utmost gratitude and respect.

"I think our loss will be someone's huge gain in football."

Former Watford manager Mackay met the club's board on Monday after the removal of Moody, who has been replaced by 23-year-old Alisher Apsalyamov.

The Kazakh was on work experience at the club in the summer and is a friend of owner Tan's son.

In a statement from the Cardiff board on Tuesday, the club said that transfer dealings will be conducted "subject to the manager's final approval".