Malky Mackay

Early career

Born in Bellshill, Mackay began his career in his native Scotland, coming through the youth ranks of Queen's Park, before joining Celtic in the summer of 1993. He made his Celtic debut on 13 May 1995 in a 1–0 away win against Dundee United. His first Celtic goal was scored on 27 April 1996 in a 4–2 away win against Partick Thistle. He made 46 appearances in five years with the Glasgow club, and in September 1998 moved to England, joining Norwich City for a fee of £350,000 after a one-game loan spell.

Norwich City

At the end of the 2001–02 season Norwich fans voted Mackay in second place behind Gary Holt in the voting for Norwich City player of the year. In the 2003–04 season, his sixth at Norwich, the club was promoted to the Premier League after winning the then Division One, however he was released by Norwich at the end of the season. He was named in the Football League First Division Team of the Year in the 2003–04 in which they got promoted. Mackay scored a brace for Norwich in an East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town.

West Ham United

Mackay was signed for West Ham United by manager Alan Pardew, for £300,000, on 10 September 2004. He played 18 league games for the Hammers, although none after March, as West Ham reached the play-offs, beating Preston North End in the final to reach the Premier League. Mackay was released before playing a top flight game.

Watford

Mackay was picked up on a free transfer by Aidy Boothroyd…

Watford

After Brendan Rodgers resigned in June 2009, Mackay took over as the manager of Watford. Watford drew 1–1 on their league visit to Reading on 26 September 2009, and by their second meeting late in the season Rodgers had been dismissed by Reading after only a few months in charge. As for Mackay and Watford, 2009–10 was a difficult season where their Championship status was under threat for a long time, but by the end of April survival had been achieved against Reading, ending the season 14th place in the league.

Cardiff City

Mackay signed a three-year contract as Cardiff City manager on 17 June 2011, with Watford receiving an undisclosed fee in compensation. His reign began with a 1–0 away win over West Ham United. The side were undefeated in September, resulting in Mackay being nominated for the September Championship Manager of the Month in his first month managing the Welsh club. Another unbeaten month for Cardiff resulted in Mackay winning the award in November. He guided Cardiff to their first ever League Cup final, following wins over Oxford United, Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Crystal Palace in earlier rounds. The week before the League Cup final, Mackay signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension, tying him to the club until June 2016. Mackay's side were beaten by Liverpool in the Wembley final, losing 3–2 on penalties, with a 2–2 scoreline after extra time. Cardiff's season ended where it began, as…

Mackay's father (also named Malky Mackay) is a former footballer who played as a striker. The Mackay family are all supporters of Glasgow-based club Queen's Park. Mackay Sr. is a member of the board at the club. Mackay Jr. played for amateur side Queen's Park as a teenager, whilst working in a branch of the Bank of Scotland.

Player

Celtic

Scottish Premier Division: 1997–98 Norwich City

Football League First Division: 2003–04 Watford

Football League Championship play-offs: 2005–06 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 2003–04 First Division

Manager

Cardiff City

Football League Championship: 2012–13 Football League Cup runner-up: 2011–12 Ross County

Scottish Premiership play-offs: 2022–23 Individual

Football League Championship Manager of the Month: March 2011, November 2011 League Managers Association Championship Manager of the Year: 2012–13