Mick McCarthy claims his APOEL exit was 'the best sacking' he had in football.
The former Republic of Ireland boss got the boot just two months into a two-year contract with the struggling Cypriot giants.
But the 62-year-old was quickly snapped up by Cardiff City and was this week crowned Championship Manager of the Month.
McCarthy has transformed the Bluebirds season and they are in the playoff positions after winning seven and drawing four under his watch.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said of his and Terry Connor’s APOEL axing: "I didn't want it to happen. Training in shorts and a T-shirt in December is unheard of!
“But we said it might be the best sacking we ever had because there might be someone having a bit of a tough time who might need us.
“We got more publicity coming back than we did going out there.
"I was coming back from Nicosia on the plane with TC and I said to him it might be an opportune moment for us.
“I got the call [from Cardiff] and I was free and willing to take the job until the end of the season. It worked out in our favour."
McCarthy has since been rewarded with a new two-year contract and took charge of his 1000th game in football last week.
"I’m thrilled to have reached it," he says. "It was something I wanted to achieve since I got to 900-odd games.
“There are some incredible people in that club, like Sir Alex Ferguson, who I know is on a whole lot more than me.
“It’s an honour and I’m humbled to be in that company. But I'm not stopping just yet. I'm going to keep going."
