Harry Redknapp believes Dave Whelan was RIGHT to appoint Malky Mackay at Wigan despite text scandal - The Mirror

He said: “I have got a lot of time for Malky, I like him. He has made a mistake but lots of people make mistakes in life"

Harry Redknapp reckons Malky Mackay deserves his second chance in football at Wigan.

The Scot was appointed as Uwe Rosler’s successor this week, despite being under FA investigation for the alleged sexist and racist content of his text messages to former colleague Iain Moody during their time at Cardiff.

However, QPR boss Redknapp believes Latics chief Dave Whelan was right to hand Mackay a lifeline.

He said: “I have got a lot of time for Malky, I like him. He has made a mistake but lots of people make mistakes in life.

Malky Mackay: Career in pictures

“It is easy to kick someone when they are down. He has got a second chance now. He has got the backing of the chairman and hopefully he will do well.

“Whenever I have met Malky, I have thought he was a decent person and a good football manager.

"He made a big mistake, you can't do what he did, and he has accepted that. He has apologised I am sure he has learned from that.

“I am not condoning what he done but he has got another chance. Have a look around the world and see what happens, there are people who come out of prison who have murdered people, beat up old ladies - they get second chances.”

LEWIS: Dave Whelan's views on Malky Mackay sum up the lip service paid to discrimination in the English game