Malky Mackay should be thanked not sacked, says Steve Bruce

Hull City manager Steve Bruce believes Vincent Tan should be thanking Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay and not threatening to sack him.

Mackay, 41, has been criticised by Tan for saying he hoped to sign three players in January and on Monday was told he must resign or be dismissed.

"From the outside they should be really thanking Malky, he has done a wonderful job," said Bruce.

"He gets them up, and is making a fist of keeping them up."

Mackay guided Cardiff to promotion to the Premier League last season and they currently sit 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

Tan is flying to the United Kingdom having told Mackay to resign or face being dismissed - and Mackay has repeatedly said he will not walk away.

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes any threat to sack Mackay is not based on football matters.

"I certainly do have sympathy for him," he said.

"It certainly can't be a decision about football because Malky has done everything correctly with the football team, he has prepared them right, he has got them into the Premier League, he has got them competitive, he has got a stadium and a crowd that is right behind him and the team.

"He recognises that if he doesn't continue to improve Cardiff City then it will be tough.

"I don't know what goes on behind the scenes there but all I can tell you is that it has got nothing to do with football. Anybody who looks at it from a football perspective can tell you that he is doing a great job."

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp says Mackay's treatment by Tan is "beyond belief".

He added: "Malky has done a fantastic job there. It is a shock the way things are unfolding and it does not seem right that someone could do what he has done and be under pressure.

"I don't think he [Vincent Tan] could find anyone who could do a better job than Malky could do."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, the longest serving manager in the Premier League, believes stability is important at clubs if they are to achieve success.

He said: "In some countries the instability of managers is chronic. Stability is important for the quality of the game.

"There is no real secret [to my longevity]. I just try to do my job well."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says it is vital that a club's chairman and manager are able to work together.

"It is fair to say that relationship is the most important at a football club," he said.

"I cannot comment about other clubs because I do not know the ins and outs. I have been very impressed with our chairman [Bill Kenwright], I don't think he has been getting he credit he deserves over the years.

"I could not be happier to have our chairman with the way he is and the way he helps the football club."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon said Mackay has done "a fantastic job," adding: "I don't understand it at all. I don't know what more he can do."