Mackay appointment seals Palace fate as relegation strugglers
Published:
Malky Mackay has been appointed manager of Crystal Palace, with the Eagles shunning the opportunity to hire either Tim Sherwood or Glenn Hoddle.
Eagles fans might be relieved that Hoddle – who is yet to prove he can still operate at the highest level – was overlooked but must feel a sense of impending doom at the news.
Despite the appointment of Mackay, the Selhurst Park outfit remain a short-priced 2/1 to fall through the Premier League trap door this season.
Mackay has limited experience of top flight management, with little more than half a season with Cardiff under his belt.
The Scot was criticised heavily by former chairman Vincent Tan for a questionable transfer record and was relieved of his duties with the Bluebirds just a point above the relegation zone.
Mackay’s appointment will see him reunited with Ian Moody who oversaw his Cardiff transfer activity as head of recruitment at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Moody is now Sporting Director of Selhurst Park and no doubt played a major part in Mackay landing the role ahead of Sherwood, who was the bookies favourite over the weekend.
The pair worked together to break the Cardiff transfer record when landing Danish striker Andreas Cornelius for £8m from FC Copenhagen.
After a disastrous spell yielded zero goals and just eight games he was sold back to the Danish club at a loss in a deal that ultimately sealed Mackay’s fate.
Some may point to bad luck surrounding that particular move but Palace fans will be hoping for a marked improvement before the window shuts with Wilfried Zaha and Lewis Holtby among the fans’ top choices.
However, Mackay looks likely to be expected to hit the ground running with Ladbrokes pricing the former Watford boss at just 3/1 to remain in his post until the end of the season.
If Palace have one eye on promotion to the top flight next year then Mackay could very well be the right man for the job but as for his ability to consolidate their status this year … well it remains to be seen.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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