Warnock calls it a day as a manager
FORMER Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock yesterday announced his retirement from football management on live TV.
Warnock, 73, made the announcement while appearing as a pundit on Sky’s Soccer Saturday.
It brings to an end a long and successful career in the dugout which spanned more than 40 years. He holds the record for most promotions in English football with eight, the final one with the Bluebirds in 2018.
His last job was at Championship side Middlesbrough, who he left in November. Shortly before that decision, he surpassed 1,600 games as a manager and set a new record in English football.
“I just thought it was the right time, really, coming towards the end of the season, there’s not really a job you’re going to get before then,” he said on Soccer Saturday.
“I’ve had a good run really. I’m enjoying things I’ve not done for years, I’m having a lot of time with the family, my dogs and I’ve taken up cycling too.
“I’m not saying the enthusiasm’s gone, I’ve not lost that, but when I see some of my friends who are struggling health wise, there comes a time where you have to let your family enjoy a little bit more of your time, in particular my wife Sharon.”
Known for his forthright opinions, particular towards officials, Warnock made a career out of being able to instil a fighting spirit in his sides and oversaw eight promotions.
After retiring from his playing career at the age of 30 to move into coaching, the former winger began his managerial career with Gainsborough before joining Burton.
He led Scarborough into the Football League in 1987, and then won back-to-back promotions to guide Notts County into the First Division in 1991.
Warnock’s third Football League promotion came with Huddersfield in 1995, only for him to quit days later and move to Plymouth, who he would guide to promotion from the Third Division 12 months later.
Though relegations with Oldham and Bury followed, Warnock was handed the reins to his boyhood club Sheffield United in 1999, winning promotion to the Premier League as Championship runners up in 2006.
However, he left the club a year later - ending the longest stint of his career with a single club - after defeat to Wigan on the final day of the season condemned them to relegation.
Warnock returned to management with Crystal Palace, then led QPR to the Premier League in 2011. After spells at Leeds and Rotherham, Warnock led Cardiff to the Premier League in 2018 before finishing his career at Middlesbrough.