MP wants Wigan to move on after Mackay’s arrival

Local MP Lisa Nandy says she has been assured the appointment of Malky Mackay as Wigan manager is “consistent with the club’s values”.

With rumors of the Scot’s imminent arrival at the DW Stadium, Miss Nandy asked club chairman Dave Whelan to “think carefully” about whether Mackay was the right man to manage the Championship side.

Earlier this year the 42-year-old, who has been out of the game since leaving Cardiff last December, was embroiled in controversy after details of offensive text messages between him and the former head of recruitment were made public of the club, Iain Moody. field.

Mackay admitted the messages were “disrespectful to other cultures”, with sexist, racist and anti-Semitic comments among the material to be published.

The Football Association has confirmed it is looking into the matter, although it is yet to charge either Mackay or Moody with any wrongdoing.

In a statement on Wednesday, Whelan acknowledged that the appointment “will attract criticism in some quarters, but we are going into it with our eyes open and have nothing to hide on this subject.”

And with Mackay now installed on a rolling contract, Miss Nandy is looking to draw a line under the controversy. In a statement, she said: “We wrote to the club last week asking them to consider the fans’ concerns and ensure that any appointment is in line 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.”

Mackay, who earlier this season had been one of the favorites for the vacant job at Crystal Palace, will take charge of Wigan for the first time against Middlesbrough at home on Saturday.