Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has insisted that Malky Mackay's text controversy was discussed before appointing him as the club's new manager, but is adamant that the Scotsman is an "honourable" man.
The 42-year-old was confirmed as the Latics' new boss this afternoon, almost a year after he was sacked by Cardiff City.
In August, Mackay was close to being appointed the new Crystal Palace manager, but the move fell through after it emerged that he and former head of recruitment Iain Moody had allegedly sent text messages to one another of a racist, homophobic and sexist nature.
In reference to the controversy, Whelan told the club's official website: "I know that this appointment will draw criticism in some quarters but we go into it with our eyes open and we have nothing to hide on this subject. Malky made a mistake, he knows that, we know that and we have discussed this issue at length face to face.
"He apologised publicly for what happened at the time and has paid for what he did in terms of the bad publicity he has received since and will no doubt continue to suffer in the future. But I believe that it is now time to move on. Contrary to the way he has been portrayed in recent months, the Malky Mackay I met this week, and who has been vouched for by the many different people from whom we have sought advice before making this appointment, is an honourable man.
"He is a committed family man with decent values and is a professional who has worked and thrived for over 20 years in the multi-cultural world of modern football. There is nothing more to say about this subject, and as far as I am concerned we draw a line under it from today."
Wigan sacked Uwe Rosler last week following his 11-month spell in charge.
Danielle Joynson
