Malky Mackay: Wigan Athletic confirm new manager

Malky Mackay began his managerial career at Watford, replacing the now Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers

Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic have appointed former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay as their new manager.

Mackay is still being investigated by the Football Association after claims he sent texts of a homophobic, racist and sexist nature while at Cardiff.

The Scot, 42, replaces Uwe Rosler, who was sacked on 13 November with the Latics third from bottom of the table.

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy urged chairman Dave Whelan not to interview Mackay when searching for a replacement for Rosler.

"I know that this appointment will draw criticism in some quarters but we go into it with our eyes open and we have nothing to hide on this subject," Whelan told the club website.

"Malky made a mistake, he knows that, we know that and we have discussed this issue at length face to face.

"He apologised publicly for what happened at the time and has paid for what he did, in terms of the bad publicity he has received since and will no doubt continue to suffer in the future.

"But I believe that it is now time to move on.

"Contrary to the way he has been portrayed in recent months, the Malky Mackay I met this week, and who has been vouched for by the many different people from whom we have sought advice before making this appointment, is an honourable man."

Whelan continued: "He is a committed family man with decent values and is a professional who has worked and thrived for over 20 years in the multi-cultural world of modern football.

"There is nothing more to say about this subject. As far as I am concerned, we draw a line under it from today."

Mackay had been strongly linked with a return to management with Crystal Palace following the departure of Tony Pulis at the start of the 2014-15 season.

However, that possibility disappeared when details emerged of text messages sent by Mackay, which he later admitted were "disrespectful of other cultures".

In a statement following Mackay's appointment, Nandy said: "I wrote to the club last week asking them to take fans' concerns into account and ensure any appointment was consistent with Wigan Athletic's values.

"They have assured me that they have done so and I hope this marks the start of a successful next chapter for the club."

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan (left) celebrates promotion to the Premier League with Malky Mackay - but "regretfully" dismissed the Scot eight months later

A former Scotland international defender, Mackay began his managerial career at Watford in 2009 and spent two seasons at Vicarage Road before joining Cardiff.

He led the Welsh club to the 2012 League Cup final, which they lost on penalties to Liverpool, and won the Championship title a year later, ending Cardiff's 52-year exile from the English top flight.

But Mackay was dismissed in December 2013 with the Bluebirds only one point outside the Premier League relegation zone.

Wigan reached the FA Cup semi-finals and Championship play-offs under Rosler last term but made a poor start to this season, winning just three of their first 17 league matches.