Malky Mackay has spoken publicly for the first time since allegations emerged claiming he was involved in racist, sexist and homophobic text messages while Cardiff City manager.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mackay said his behaviour “was unacceptable for a manager. I’m a human being and I made a mistake.”
Mackay says the texts are not representative of a broader trend in his personality, and they were a rare exception.
"Out of 10,000 text messages in and out of someone's phone I sent three that, looking at them, are completely unacceptable and inappropriate. For that, and for any offence they caused, I sincerely apologise,” Mackay said.
Mackay was sacked as Cardiff City manager in December of last year, with the club enduring a torrid season at the foot of the Premier League table. He claims the pressure of the job would have had an effect on his behaviour.
"It's something I did and there's no excuse for that. I did it in a period where I was under immense pressure and stress in terms of the relationships that were not going too well at my football club. Once again, that doesn't actually excuse anything. It was unacceptable for a manager,” Mackay said.
Mackay went on to ask the public to put themselves in his shoes.
"I suppose I would humbly ask people to ask themselves that if their own phone was taken and every text was scrutinised, if there'd be a certain amount of embarrassing texts for everyone,” he said.
"It was something that was unacceptable but I've been in a multicultural environment for 20 years. I love British football and I'm no racist, no sexist, no homophone and no anti-semite. The people that know me, know that. I know it's the people that don't know me that I've got to convince of that.
"I'm sincerely apologetic for those three texts and for any offence that was taken. It was wrong and it's something that isn't in my character. Anyone that knows me knows it's a mistake that I've made. I know it's not what people see of me when they meet me and talk to me.
"It was someone else's phone that had a vast array of 10,000 texts lifted from it. I received some but the three I've sent that are in question, I'm accountable for,” he added.
Mackay also came to defence of LMA chief Richard Bevan, whose resignation Cardiff City called for earlier today due to the LMA apology for Mackay’s actions, which labelled the texts as “banter”.
Mackay said: "I've certainly never used the word 'banter' to describe what it was but I think the overall statement was very accurate. I agree that word is wrong and they've tried to correct that today.
"I think a lot of that statement was factual and there were various parts of it that there's absolutely contrition on my part. The use of that word was wrong but the LMA have a long-standing reputation in the game which is very good. Every manager in the country backs the good work the LMA do for this country in all walks of life.
"They made a mistake and they changed it. I don't think they meant any offence. Without a doubt, 'banter' wasn't a word I used. I don't (think Peter Bevan should be sacked). The amount of work they've done in grass roots football, you'll find he's been someone who's made a lot of good decisions and a lot of good work for the country in terms of football."
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