• Premier League

Tan tells Mackay: You won't get a penny

ESPN staff
December 16, 2013
Could Tan's statement be the last straw for Mackay at Cardiff? © PA Photos
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Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay's relationship with the club's controversial owner Vincent Tan has hit a new low after the Malaysian billionaire publicly criticised the Scotsman.

After Saturday's Premier League win over West Bromwich Albion, Mackay had stated that he wanted three new players in the transfer window.

"It would be great if we can bring in three quality additions to the squad," he said. "I would look to strengthen all three departments in terms of a defender, a midfielder and an attacking player.

"I will talk to my chairman who will then discuss it with his board of directors and our owner and I will take my lead from them. It's up to them then what financially they want to spend in January. I've got my lists of players whether they be targets or loans and for various positions.'

But according to the Daily Mail, the comments have riled Tan, who admitted that Mackay overspent by £15 million in the summer - the reason head of recruitment Iain Moody lost his job in October.

Cardiff's CEO Simon Lim released a statement on Monday. It read: "Tan Sri Vincent Tan was extremely upset to read quotes from the manager concerning the possibility of new recruits, before he had been informed whether funds would be made available. He believes that doing so unfairly raises supporter expectations, placing unnecessary pressure on the club.

"His view is that due to the funds already committed, including the originally authorised summer transfer budget of £35m that rose to £50m in total, including add-ons, the manager has been fully supported.

"The overspending of £15 million has upset Tan Sri greatly, resulting in the removal on Iain Moody as head of recruitment. As such, he has stated that not a single penny will be made available in January.

"Having been the highest spending promoted club and the seventh highest spender in the Premier League last summer, the owner believes that the Manager has been given the best possible chance of retaining our Premier League status."

The club had invested in the likes of Gary Medel, Steven Caulker, Andreas Cornelius and Kevin Theophile-Catherine in the summer window during Iain Moody's time as head of recruitment, but when he was replaced by 23-year-old Kazakh Alisher Apsalyamov in October, there were serious concerns as to whether the manager would stay.

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