Malky Mackay
Cardiff sack Mackay after Tan spat.

Cardiff City have sacked their manager Malky Mackay, the club have confirmed.

The 42-year-old's departure has emerged a week after he received an email from club owner Vincent Tan demanding he resign or be dismissed.

Although the ultimatum was lifted by the club's under fire owner, relations between the two have remained strained and as a result the Welsh club have confirmed the former Watford manager's departure following a meeting with the club's board of directors.

The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties," a statement on the Cardiff City website read.

"A new first team manager will be appointed and announced in due course."

After leading the club back to the top flight of English football for the first time in 53 years, Mackay's relationship with Tan has soured considerably in recent weeks.

In addition to last week's email, relations between the former manager and owner took a significant hit when Mackay was told he would not receive a penny towards transfers next month following Tan's criticism of how Mackay spent in the summer.

Tan's treatment of Mackay has provoked the ire of Cardiff fans who remained firmly behind their manager, who had been in charge for two-and-a-half years after taking over from Dave Jones in June 2011

Mackay's final game in charge of last season's Championship winners was a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Former Manchester United striker and current Molde manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has quickly become the favourite to take the reins at the club.

Cardiff are yet to indicate who will oversee first team duties ahead of the club's next league game against Sunderland on Saturday.

Following their Boxing Day loss to Southampton Cardiff sit in 16<sup>th place, just one point above the relegation zone. Things will not be easy for whoever is handed the job with trips to Arsenal, Newcastle, Manchester City and Manchester United waiting over the next month, in addition to a clash with fellow strugglers West Ham United.