Wigan Athletic captain Gary Caldwell has described new Latics boss Malky Mackay as a "stand-up, honest man" following his controversial appointment.
The Scot was named as Uwe Rosler's successor at the DW Stadium on Wednesday as the former Cardiff City manager prepares for his first job in 11 months.
Wigan owner Dave Whelan has come under fire for hiring the 42-year-old, who was involved in a text messaging scandal with former Bluebirds head of recruitment Iain Moody in August.
Mackay was reported to be closing in on the Crystal Palace job when a conversation between him and Moody - then with the Eagles - was leaked, with the comments thought to be of a sexist and racist nature.
"I know Malky from playing with him for Scotland and he's a great guy, and a stand-up, honest man," Caldwell told talkSPORT.
"I would have no problems working with him and no problems at all speaking to him.
"He's done a great job since he's been a manager. He's had that experience of promotion with Cardiff and we want people at the club who know how to get success and get us back to where we want to be, and that's the Premier League."
Mackay recently insisted that he is "absolutely not racist" but former PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle and anti-racism campaign Kick It Out have both slammed the decision.
