Argyle legend Warnock announces retirement from football management after 42 years
PLYMOUTH Argyle legend Neil Warnock has announced his retirement from football management after 42 years, writes Stuart Abel.
The 73-year-old, who has chalked up more than 1,600 league and cup games, took the Pilgrims to one of their greatest triumphs the victory in thethen Division Three PlayOff Final – in 1996.
It is one of a record eight promotions achieved by a manager in English football. Warnock was last in the dugout with Middlesbrough in the Championship before he was sacked in November.
He was asked by Sky’s Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling if he was thinking of coming back into management and replied: “No, no. I just thought it was the right time (to retire), really, coming towards the end of the season, there’s not really a job you’re going to get before then.
“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’ve got one or two interesting things coming up.
“I’m looking forward to doing a few ‘Evenings with’ around the country.”
Warnock was manager at Home Park from 1995 to 1997 and took the club to fourth in the league in his first season.
The team beat Colchester in the play-offs before triumphing 1-0 over Darlington in the final.
In February 1997, Warnock was controversially sacked as Argyle manager despite his popularity with the fans.
He told Sky: “I’m not saying the enthusiasms’ 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.
“When you’re a manager you’re very selfish, you take your job home with you whether you’re on a high or a low and it’s very difficult for your wife and kids.
“It’s hard to replicate the final whistle when you’re won a game, there’s nothing quite like that in normal life, and you have to realise you’re not going to get that buzz again in that situation.”
Warnock’s other seven promotions have come with Scarborough, Notts County (twice), Huddersfield, Sheffield United, QPR and Cardiff City.
Warnock was back at Home Park last year with some of the Division Three Play-Off Final winning squad to celebrate the game’s 25th anniversary.
A journeyman winger as a player, Sheffield-born Warnock has settled near Stoke Climsland, near Callington in Cornwall.