Warnock promotion joy

NEIL Warnock reflected on the “best job” of his career as he celebrated Cardiff’s return to the Premier League.

Cardiff’s goalless home draw with Reading – who survived i n t he Sky Bet Championship as a result – confirmed promotion as third-placed Fulham crashed 3-1 at Birmingham.

It was Warnock’s eighth promotion as a manager, a new record for English football.

“Given the state of this club when I came in, and what had gone on, this has to be the best job I’ve ever done in my life in football,” said Warnock, who began his management career at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980.

“This is the best achievement because if you only knew what I have to deal with off the field.”

“We will get one or two things thrown at us, but heyho, it will be better than being in the Championship.”

Warnock is relishing managing i n the Premier League again.

“When you see things happening like with Sir Alex (Ferguson), and we wish him well, you just have to grab every minute at my age,” he said.

“If it goes pear-shaped, I’ll just leave so there’s nothing to worry about.

“Next season will be fine. It’s not rocket science.”

Reading manager Paul Clement, sacked by Swansea last December, arrived in March after Jaap Stam had failed to turn around a tailspin that had followed last season’s march to the Championship play-off final.

In the end, eight points from as many games was enough to see Reading finish three points better off than Barnsley in 22nd place.

“We’re not celebrating like Cardiff are, but we’re pleased,” Clement said.

Sir Alex Ferguson