Chris Hughton revealed he felt plenty of sympathy for Malky Mackay after the former Norwich City stalwart was dismissed by Premier League rivals Cardiff.

Mackay's departure from the Bluebirds was confirmed on Friday following a protracted stand-off with owner Vincent Tan which came to a head last week when a leaked email from the Malaysian businessman demanded Mackay resign or face the sack.

'It wasn't a massive surprise because we have all seen what is happening there over the past few weeks and the pressure Malky was operating under,' said Hughton. 'I am very disappointed for Malky. It was a saga that had been played out in the public and that could have done no-one any good.

'In the modern game it is very difficult to keep things private these days, but most people hearing the news would not be surprised. We are at a stage now where in this month alone we have lost a lot of good managers.

'That is the industry we are in and it seems the norm. I have always spoken about continuity and consistency but we seem to have gone away from that. You always want support and what I have had here from the first day I walked in was great backing. I speak to the chief executive if not every day then every second day and I have had wonderful support.'

The experienced Hughton insists he would still advise any aspiring young managers to try and forge a career in the game, with his old club Tottenham earlier this week appointing Tim Sherwood as Andre Villas-Boas' permanent replacement.

'They have made a decision to promote from within and the Tottenham people will know Tim's strengths from his work with the development side of the club,' said Hughton. 'He has an array of good footballers at his disposal. Now he needs to get down to business and making tough decisions but he is a strong character.

'I can tell you once you are in the game, it grabs you. There are plenty of reasons not to do it and not to put yourself through it but there are plenty more reasons to do it. You could also look at plenty of other young individuals, like Tim, who feel the same way. He wants to stay in the game, he wants to manage and once this bug gets you, you want more of it.'