‘Retired’ Warnock on why he has taken on Middlesbrough, his 18th job

NEIL WARNOCK came out of retirement’ to take his 18th manager’s job – and insisted he can work his magic to keep Middlesbrough in the Championship. The 71-year-old replaced Jonathan Woodgate after chairman Steve Gibson persuaded him to swap gardening and fishing for the buzz of a relegation battle.

Veteran Warnock has led clubs to promotion a record eight times but also boasts an impressive CV as a relegation firefighter during his four decades in the dugout.

Warnock, who returns after a seven-month break having left Cardiff last November, said: “I had more or less retired.

“But I’ve got eight games without fans booing me! I’ve done the garden, had a fish, read books, admired the bluebells and listened to the birds. But you miss football. “When I started at Gainsborough the furthest I thought I’d get was Blyth Spartans! “I have nearly managed Middlesbrough on numerous occasions over the years but it never came off so I will enjoy this period. “We are in a precarious position but I wouldn’t have made the six-and-a-half-hour drive last night if I didn’t think we could stay in the division.

“Teams have a lot of pressure on them, not just us. I love that challenge, that’s why I’m still in it. I couldn’t resist.

“It was a no-brainer when Steve Gibson asked me to come and help out. I don’t think I would have driven up this far for anybody else, to be honest.

“It’s all about getting to safety. There are some big teams down there, it’s a difficult league and there’s no divine right to stay up.”

Warnock, who tested negative after taking a coronavirus test before supervising training yesterday (below), says he got a tingle down his spine addressing the Boro squad for the first time.

He added: “It’s a change of voice at this stage and we have got to make sure the club stabilises itself and stays in the division.”

Warnock, hired for the relegation run-in, could stay in charge at the Riverside next season if he succeeds. He needs to take charge of only 12 more games to reach a whopping 1,500 in management.

Struggling Boro lost 3-0 at home to Swansea on Saturday, a result which cost rookie boss Woodgate his job at his home-town club. Only goal difference is keeping them out of the relegation zone.

Woodgate said: “I’ve been in football long enough to know that these things happen.

“I hope Neil and the players can finish the job this season and keep the club in the Championship. I have every belief that will happen.”