• Premier League

Cardiff announce Moody departure

Tan Sri Vincent Tan put Iain Moody on gardening leave earlier in October © Getty Images

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Cardiff City have announced the departure of head of recruitment Iain Moody.

Earlier this week, owner Vincent Tan put Moody on gardening leave and replaced him with Alisher Apsalyamov, a 23-year-old friend of his son's, on an interim basis.

The Premier League club confirmed the change in a statement on their official website on Friday.

The statement said: "Cardiff City Football Club can announce the departure of head of recruitment Iain Moody. Iain is leaving the club with our thanks for his contribution.

"In the interim period, Alisher Apsalyamov has been appointed as acting head of recruitment, focusing on gathering data on individual players. Ultimate recruitment decisions, of course, remain the domain of the manager [Malky Mackay] and majority shareholder."

Apsalyamov, who joined the club in February, appears to have no previous experience in football and was reportedly painting walls at the Cardiff City Stadium three months ago.

Moody's exit has led to questions over Mackay's future, but he has the support of the fans and the Press Association reports that he has no intention of resigning.

Cardiff denied claims that Mackay had been asked to resign, and Tan offered his full support to the manager in Friday's statement.

"Tan Sri Vincent Tan said: 'I have every faith in Malky and his team to lead us through the challenges of the Premier League,'" the statement said.

"I have supported him in the past and will do so in the future for many years to come. I would say to all Cardiff City fans and everyone connected to the club, let us look forward to the future and remain united in our support of the team'."

Tan caused consternation among Cardiff fans in 2012 when he changed the club's playing kit from blue to red and altered the club crest.

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