Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has been sacked today as boss of the Welsh club.

According to a brief statement on the Cardiff City website,

“The Board of Directors at Cardiff City Football Club have today relieved Malky Mackay of his duties.

“A new first team manager will be appointed and announced in due course.”

Mackay was sacked less than 24 hours after his Cardiff City side lost 3-0 at home to Southampton on Boxing Day. Prior to yesterday’s match, there was a protest against Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan (see video below). The same supporters also sang the praises of Mackay.

The stage is now set for a massive protest by Cardiff City supporters at tomorrow’s home match against Sunderland, which will be televised live around the world (and on over-the-air NBC for viewers in the United States at 12:30pm ET).

Mackay’s sacking seemed inevitable after last week’s ultimatum by Tan to Mackay that he should resign or be fired. Cardiff City Chairman Mehmet Dalman stepped in and tried to broker talks between Mackay and Tan, but despite Mackay’s attempts to meet with Tan, the Malaysian continued to blow off Mackay’s requests. According to Sky Sports earlier today, Mackay was supposed to meet with Tan tomorrow. But that meeting won’t be happening now due to the sacking.

Read: 6 Reasons Cardiff City should have kept Malky Mackay in charge of Cardiff.

For Mackay, he walks away from the situation with his head held high. West Bromwich Albion would be a good option for the manager, who did a decent job at Cardiff City despite Tan’s detrimental impact.

Tan, meanwhile, wrote a letter to Sky Sports News this morning, which stated:

“There has been far too much dirty linen [that] has been exposed to the public gaze and not by me.

“It is no longer fair to the club, its players, its fans and the public for this uncomfortable state of affairs to continue.”

Editor’s note: For the latest Bluebirds news, analysis and opinion, visit the Cardiff City team page.