Former Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United boss Neil Warnock has outlined his plans for a return to management after departing Huddersfield Town earlier this season.
The 74-year-old came out of retirement last season to take over the Terriers, with relegation to League One looking a formality. However, as he has done time and again, the veteran performed miracles to earn the Yorkshire club’s survival and he was handed a one-year contract extension
He cut short his second spell at the club in September and has been linked to a number of positions since, including two other former clubs in QPR and Rotherham United. Whilst the Hoops opted to appoint Marti Cifuentes following the dismissal of Gareth Ainsworth, Rotherham are still on the hunt for Matt Taylor’s successor.
The Millers are currently languishing inside the Championship’s bottom three. If there is one man who knows how to get them out of that pickle, it’s Neil Warnock. A return to the New York Stadium looks unlikely though, with the ex-Crystal Palace gaffer appearing to rule it out.
Having already retired once, it’s common knowledge that the eight-time promotion winner is keen to take on another role, although he has admitted that he would like the challenge of taking a club into the play-offs rather than another relegation battle. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said;
“If there is another one after Christmas, I’ll take it on board. I don’t work until February. It’s usually February I start work.
“It would be nice to have a club sort of mid-table I can have a go at getting in the play-offs, rather than somebody bottom of the league or second from the bottom and I’ve just got to keep them up.
“Sharon (his wife) knows if I do get one for two or three months, she’ll let me go for two or three months.”
In the meantime, Warnock is sure to be linked to the majority of jobs that become available, although it appears that he is unwilling to accept a position this side of Christmas.
Writer’s View
At 74-years-old, it is perfectly reasonable that Warnock is only prepared to take on short-term roles. It is a deal which would suit a number of clubs towards the tail end of the season, especially those that are looking for a ‘quick fix’.
His CV speaks for itself and it is likely that someone will benefit from his impact in the New Year. It will be interesting to see if he gets his wish of managing a team that are underperforming in the upper reaches of the table or those who want a final push towards the play-offs. Watford and Norwich City are two clubs that immediately spring to mind.
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