I don't think Tan could have won at that point,though that was due to some mismanagement. Tan knew about the texts and I imagine wanted him out earlier, remember the leaked resign or get sacked email, which in hindsight must have been leaked by Malky as a way of keeping fans onside and clinging onto his job without the fans having full knowledge of what was going on behind the scenes.
I personally think Tan only kept him on due to obvious fan pressure and again with hindsight should have sacked him earlier.
That error was then multiplied by hiring an inexperienced name instead of a suitable manager.