AP

Malky Mackay lost a destabilising power struggle with Cardiff's divisive owner yesterday, and became the fourth Premier League manager to be fired this month. Owner Vincent Tan said he was compelled to dismiss Mackay because he felt the "dirty linen" being exposed about the dispute was creating a distraction.

Mackay, who took Cardiff to its first League Cup final in 2012, was dismissed only five days after being told by the south Wales club he would remain in charge for the "foreseeable future."

Despite that assurance, there was a caveat that the former Celtic and Norwich defender had to heal his rift with Tan, which seemed unlikely given the owner's apparent reluctance to meet with him in recent months.

The Malaysian owner and Mackay clashed over the dismissal of head of recruitment Iain Moody in October. Mackay's future after two years at the south Wales club seemed to be doomed when he received an ultimatum last week from Tan to resign or be fired in an email that listed grievances against the manager, linked to the transfer strategy.

Good deal

Tan finally decided yesterday, a day after a 3-0 loss to Southampton, to fire the manager and go public about the turmoil at the club.

"There has been a good deal of publicity generated by and about Mr Malky Mackay over the last few months. Indeed far too much dirty linen has been exposed to the public gaze," Tan said in a statement.

"But, I stress, not by me. Indeed, I have deliberately not responded to this, hoping that the club can be judged on its football rather than personalised arguments about who said what to whom.

"I have, however, regretfully concluded that it is no longer fair to the club, its players, its fans, or the public more generally, for this uncomfortable state of affairs to continue. Cardiff City Football Club means far too much to us all for it to be distracted by this."

Mackay, who had a contract through June 2016, thanked the players, coaching staff and fans for backing him, "especially in these recent turbulent months."

"I leave with my head held high," Mackay added in a statement.