Full transcript: Malky Mackay absence assistant manager David Kerslake in a tricky situation at Cardiff City press conference

Cardiff City assistant manager David Kerslake got more than he bargained for when he arrived at work this morning as he was thrust in front of the gathered media expecting manager Malky Mackay for the pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Liverpool.

Kerslake had to field a number of questions regarding the future of Mackay, following the revelations that club owner Vincent Tan had issued the manager with an ultimatum of “resign or face being sacked” after he expressed his “extreme upset” with Mackay’s recent actions.

Those actions include the alleged overspending of £15m in the summer transfer window, the public admission that he wanted to make more signings in January, the way the team has been performing, their results and the style of play. This was also the reasoning behind former head of recruitment Iain Moody’s sacking back in October, when he was replaced by a 23-year-old on work experience who has since been stood down due to visa issues.

In the press conference, Kerslake did his best to ignore any question regarding Mackay, who as we understand could be sacked within hours. The 5 minute 24 second press conference was interrupted on occasion by the club’s press officer Mark Denham, who attempted to deflect the attentions on Mackay’s future away from Kerslake.

READ THE FULL TRANSCIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW…

Cardiff press officer Mark Denham: “Ladies and gentleman, assistant manager David Kerslake.”

Journalist: “Good morning David, I’m sure you will realise that everyone is speculating that Malky Mackay is no longer the manager, can you let us know the current situation?”

David Kerslake: “I’m just here to talk about the Liverpool game tomorrow. I can’t say anything else.”

Q: “I appreciate that, have you had any conversations with Malky at all today?”

DK: “No, I came in this morning and I was told to come and do the press.”

Q: “We will speak about the game, but can you tell us if Malky is still here?”

DK: “Malky is in the pavilion (training ground complex) as we speak.”

Q: “What sort of mood is he in?”

DK: “We are just here as I said to talk about the Liverpool game.”

Q: “Fair enough, you face Liverpool this weekend against Brendan Rodgers side, is it quite poignant?”

DK: “As far as we are concerned, it’s just another game. We are going to a wonderfully talented team. We have prepared this week as professionally as we can. We’re looking forward to the game.”

Q: “How will the players feel with all the unsettlement?”

DK: “The manager prepares his team in the same way every week. It’s a fantastic arena and, like we’ve enjoyed all season, putting ourselves up in a battle against the best. That will continue tomorrow.”

Q: “Will you be in charge tomorrow?”

DK: “Nobody has said anything different to me.”

Q: “How have things been this week?”

DK: “As normal. Totally as normal. We have prepared and gone through the same training sessions as we do. The players have been just as normal. Nothing has gone anything different.”

Q: “How has Malky coped with everything?”

DK: “Without being boring, it really has been a normal week for us.”

Q: “You’ve known Malky a long time, what is it that drives him on?”

DK: “I am here to talk about the Liverpool game tomorrow. I just want to talk about that.”

Q: “Hand on heart, can you honestly say this won’t affect the players?”

DK: “I don’t think it will affect them, no.”

Q: “It couldn’t be much tougher…”

DK: “They are a wonderful side and have an array of talent throughout their squad. The players have equipped themselves fantastically well all season and I’m sure they are looking forward to doing the same tomorrow.”

Q: “Can you sum up the atmosphere?”

DK: “We are looking forward to it. Anfield is a fantastic arena. We will be really tested, but we’ve done well this season. We’ve competed in every game. We will go there looking for a result.”

Q: “Personal note, how worried are you about your own job?”

DK: “Every manager and coach knows it is a precarious job. Nothing changes.”

Q: “You are the man who has been put in an impossible position of coming down here to face us and that is very courageous, but it doesn’t really work to sit there and say you want to talk about the Liverpool game.

“The fans know what is going on and will want an explanation?”

DK: “Unfortunately, I’m only here to talk about the Liverpool game.”

Q: “Well, that’s not good enough, that’s not acceptable. Have you seen the email?”

DK: “As I said, I will answer all questions about the Liverpool game.”

Q: “How do you think Cardiff football club is seen to the wider world at the moment?”

DK: “If you give me a question about the football match tomorrow then I will answer.”

Q: “We’re very interested in the football and we’ve asked about that. We’d like to ask Malky about that, but he is not here. Can you explain why he is not here?”

Cardiff press officer Mark Denham: “We will take no more, we will leave it there.”

Q: “Can you explain what is going on then? Whether he (pointing to Kerslake) is going to be in charge tomorrow?

“You have put him in an impossible position. We have a job to do and we need some answers.”

MD: “I understand that.”

Q: “Can you help us please?”

MD: “Malky is unavailable to speak. The assistant manager is here to speak.”

Q: “Why? Is he (Malky) still in charge?”

MD: “I have spoken to Malky this morning.”

Q: “There’s seems to be a belief from the top right down to the bottom that everything is manipulated, but clearly that can’t happen when you have the media here asking questions asking why Malky is not here and what he has said to you.”

DK: “Malky is unavailable. I was asked to come and speak to the press about the Liverpool game tomorrow.”

Q: “How do you feel about being asked to do that?”

DK: “That’s fine. No problem.”

MD: “We will leave it there.”