Friday 21 November 2014 11:20, UK
Former Wigan boss Steve Bruce has leapt to the defence of the club’s chairman Dave Whelan and insisted he is not a racist.
Whelan has been accused of anti-Semitism and making offensive comments about Chinese people in the wake of his decision to appoint Malky Mackay as manager of the Championship club.
He is without question one of the best chairmen I've worked for. What you see is what you get.
Former Cardiff boss Mackay, who was appointed as Uwe Rosler’s replacement by the Latics earlier this week, is currently under investigation by the Football Association for sending offensive text messages.
Whelan, 77, has since apologised for causing offence and Hull boss Bruce, who managed Wigan on two occasions under Whelan's watch, is willing to stand as a character witness.
"Maybe sitting on the fence might be the easiest thing to do but I've worked under Dave Whelan twice - I know him very, very well," said Bruce.
"There's no racism in him at all. Sometimes words can be said which can be misplaced, they can be out there in the public domain, but certainly when I've worked with him there's been no sign of racism.
"He is without question one of the best chairmen I've worked for. What you see is what you get."
Bruce also described appointing Mackay as Uwe Rosler's replacement prior to the FA verdict as a "brave" call.
"It's a big brave decision by him," added Bruce.
"But he thinks that's the best thing for his football club. Being Dave he'll be single-minded enough to see that through."
