Are Cardiff City better off with Solskjaer than they were with Mackay?
So, was it the right decision? Was it the right timing? Is Solskjaer a more suitable manager for the club than Mackay?
Let’s start with Mackay.
The Scotsman was given the job in the summer of 2011. Cardiff City had been flirting with promotion, under Dave Jones, for years. New owner, Dato Tan Tien Ghee decided to make the change in manager following the 3-0 aggregate defeat to Reading in the play-offs.
Mackay, who left Watford to join the Bluebirds, had come into a difficult situation. He only had a handful of players due to loanees returning to their clubs and others moving on. Jay Bothroyd, Craig Bellamy and Michael Chopra were just three of these.
So, in the summer of 2011, he had to re-build a new squad. He brought in the likes of Kenny Miller, Don Cowie and Joe Mason.
In his first season, he achieved a play-off position. City would eventually be thrashed by recently-relegated West Ham United. The season was best known, however, for Mackay taking the club to the League Cup Final, with his new-look side taking Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool to a penalty-shoot out.
The following summer was one of controversy. Vincent Tan had now taken over the club and made the decision to change the home shirts from the traditional blue to red. A colour he felt would help the club grow financially in Asia.
Was it lucky red? Perhaps not, but Mackay led the Welsh capital to the Championship title and the riches of the Premier League that came with it. He made one of the best signings of the January transfer window in Frazier Campbell for less than £1 million.
If the 2012/13 season was one of success for Mackay and his staff, the next was one of pain. Mackay had started the season well. Beating oil-rich Manchester City, drawing with the champions in Manchester United and who could forget the win over Swansea?
However, the tension between manager and owner began to grow. First, there was the reported row that players’ agreed bonuses were not being paid.
Several other controversial issues were being reported by natural and local media. Iain Moody was then removed from his role as chief scout for overspending on the summer transfer window, notably the signing of Andreas Cornelius.
It was clear that Mackay’s position was untenable, he was told by Vincent Tan that he must resign or he’d by sacked. It was reported that Mackay replied with a simple, “no thank you”. Shortly afterwards, Mackay was sacked.
As for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian did a brilliant job at Molde in his home country. But this was his first big job, his first Premier League job. Was it the right time? Maybe, maybe not.
He started slowly. The 3-0 loss at Swansea hurt all of us fans, but also hurt Solskjaer.
However, in recent weeks, we have seen a big difference. The team were perhaps unlucky not to come away with a point at Tottenham and Everton, while a good first half display was put in against in-form Liverpool.
Most importantly though, he has got the win where it matters. This started against Norwich City and continued in the do-or-die game with Fulham.
So, back to my original question. Are we better off with Solskjaer than we were with Mackay? At the moment I’d be inclined to say no.
But Solskjaer has grown into the job well, and if he keeps up what he’s been doing in recent weeks then Cardiff City will be a Premier League team next season.
What is crucial though, is that the team rally behind the players and the manager. The Great Escape is still possible.