Former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has insisted that he has "no excuse" for sending "inappropriate" text messages to ex-head of recruitment Iain Moody, but has suggested that they were a result of being under "immense pressure".

The Scotsman is under investigation by the Football Association after allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic comments came to light, reportedly by Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan, who sacked Mackay back in December.

The 42-year-old apologised in a statement via the League Managers Association, but has insisted that he did not make any sexist or homophobic remarks.

In an interview with Sky Sports News, Mackay said: "Obviously the texts are absolutely things that I have to deal with and explain, and that's why we're talking here today. Out of 10,000 text messages, in and out of someone's phone, I sent three.

"That being the case, looking at them, they are completely unacceptable, inappropriate and for that and any offence I've caused, I seriously apologise for that. That's something that I did and there is no excuse for that.

"I did it in a period where I think I was under immense pressure and stress in terms of the relationships that were possibly not going too well at my football club at the time, but once again that actually doesn't excuse anything and is unacceptable from a manager. I'm a leader of people and it should not have happened, but first and foremost I'm a human being and I made a mistake."

Mackay was in line to become the new Crystal Palace manager, but talks stopped after the allegations came to light.