Neil Adams pleased to see Malky Mackay back in football

Neil Adams does not feel Malky Mackay's controversial return to management has arrived too soon.

The former Norwich City defender has been out of a job since he was sacked by Cardiff City in December and has seen his reputation tarnished when details about offensive text messages and e-mails he exchanged with ex-colleague Iain Moody were uncovered.

The fall-out was so severe that Mackay was forced to pull out of the running for Crystal Palace's then-vacant managerial post as a string of criticism rained down on the Scot. An FA investigation into the incident is still taking place but that hasn't stopped Dave Whelan giving him a chance to get his career back on track at Wigan Athletic – just three months after Mackay was accused of being racist, sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic.

And the Canaries' current boss believes plenty of people will be pleased to see the scandal-hit figure back in football.

Adams said: 'I think what's happened has happened. That's for Malky, the FA and Wigan Athletic to deal with.

'From a footballing point of view it's good to see Malky back in the game. Whatever he's done will have to be dealt with but looking at it from a footballing point of view Malky's a very good manager and a lot of people will be glad to see him back in the game.'

The 42-year-old's appointment has sparked outrage among organisations such as anti-racism group Kick It Out. And the fury surrounding his arrival at Wigan has only increased with Whelan causing huge offence with some comments of his own he's made this week.

Athletic's chairman – whose side host Middlesbrough in Mackay's first game in charge this afternoon – has apologised for his remarks which have brandished as racist and anti-Semitic. But it hasn't saved him from also being investigated by the FA.