Mackay paid for the price for failing to arrest Wigan’s slump with yesterday’s 2-0 Championship home defeat against Derby proving the final straw.
The Scot held his post-match press conference as normal. However he was summoned to see new chairman David Sharpe, the 23-year-old grandson of former owner Dave Whelan, shortly afterwards to be informed his time was up.
Mackay’s initial arrival last November sparked controversy as he was under investigation by the Football Association amid allegations he had sent offensive texts during his Cardiff tenure.
He was expected to lead Wigan up the table and to safety but has been unable to spark a change of fortunes at the DW Stadium.
Mackay failed to win a single home league game during a woeful tenure where Wigan have managed a meagre 19 points from a possible 72.
And they are heading towards relegation as they lie eight points adrift of safety with just five games left.
Sharp pulled the plug after disgruntled fans turned on Mackay yesterday.
Mackay, 43, was jeered for hauling off Marc-Antoine Fortune while the introduction of fellow striker Martyn Waghorn drew howls of derision.
In a statement, Sharp said: “This is a very difficult decision to make.
“But I feel that for the long term future of the club, there needs to be a change now. I wish Malky all the best for the future.”
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