Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WARNOCK IS STILL HAVING A BALL
1,500 games and counting for boss fans love to hate
NEIL WARNOCK has revealed the secrets of his longevity, as he reaches a remarkable 1,500 games as a manager today.
The 71-year-old is eighth on th e al l-time li st of games managed, topped by Sir Alex Ferguson (2,155 games) and Arsene Wenger (1,701).
He is just ahead of Sir Bobby Robson , Brian Clough and Harry Redknapp, and reckons young bosses won’t get close to his tally because of impatience and short-termi sm. Asked about his milestone, Warnock – now at Middlesbrough, who host Barnsley today – said: “It is a great achievement. To get to 1,500 games, it won’t happen very often.
“When I used to come in, I’d say I wanted three or four years to build a club – now it is three or f our weeks, or months. Owners are more demanding.
“I still enjoy it. I enjoy having a bit of humour. There is enough around to make you unhappy. Let’s be positive when we can.”
Warnock has a l ove/hate relationship with supporters around the country, but always fights for his club.
The former Sheffield United boss said: “When I have left a club, the accolade is being appreciated by your fans. They have often said, ‘I have never liked you, I didn’t want you here, but I am glad you are here’. It’s simple – I want the fans to be pleased I’ve been at their club.”
He remembers his first game as a league manager in charge of Scarborough – a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves on an August bank holiday.
He said: “Wolves fans were sleeping everywhere, on the beach, shop doorways. A fan fell through the roof, drunk – nearly killed himself. I have loved every club, and going back talking about my time there.”
He turned down Chelsea in 1991. “The traffic, the motorway, working for Ken Bates, London... didn’t feel right,” he said.
However, Warnock admits he should have accepted then
Warnock Wkh3 has a 38.9 per cent win rate for his career, having won 583 of his 1,499 matches to date
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray’s offer of employment, and said: “That’s probably the biggest regret – not going there at the right time. I think that would have been the right time.”
And his f avourite games acro ss a l ong career? Hi s achievements in getting Notts County (twice), Huddersfield and Plymouth promoted via the play-offs stand out.
“Four out of four at Wembley! I am lucky to have had that. They are the big ones,” he said.
“But I remember the st r u g g l e s , more than the euphoria. The ones where it was vital. The ones that make you feel sick.”
So, will he get to 2,000 games in the dugout? “Give over! I don’t look beyond this.”