Neil Warnock, the former Queens Park Rangers and Leeds United manager, has revealed his plans to return to management after leaving Huddersfield Town earlier this season.
Last season, the 74-year-old came out of retirement to take over the Terriers, with relegation to League One appearing like a foregone conclusion. However, the veteran worked miracles to ensure the Yorkshire club’s survival, and he was given a one-year contract extension.
He left the club in September after his second term and has been connected to a number of jobs subsequently, including two other previous clubs, QPR and Rotherham United. While the Hoops chose Marti Cifuentes to replace Gareth Ainsworth, Rotherham are still looking for Matt Taylor’s replacement.
The Millers are currently in the bottom three of the Championship. Neil Warnock is the only man who knows how to help them out of this jam. However, a return to the New York Stadium is doubtful, with the ex-Crystal Palace manager appearing to rule it out.
Having already resigned, it is widely assumed that the eight-time promotion winner is eager to return to the game, however he has stated that he would prefer the challenge of leading a side to the play-offs rather than another relegation struggle. In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated:
“I’ll take it if there’s another one after Christmas.” I won’t be working till February. I normally start employment in February.
“It would be nice to have a club that is mid-table that I can try to get into the play-offs with, rather than someone who is bottom of the league or second from bottom and I just have 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.”
Meanwhile, Warnock will very certainly be linked to the majority of roles that become available, though he is unwilling to accept a position this close to Christmas.
Author’s Opinion
At 74, it’s understandable that Warnock is only interested in short-term assignments. It is a deal that would fit a number of clubs near the end of the season, particularly those searching for a “quick fix.”
His resume speaks for itself, and someone will most certainly gain from his influence in the coming year. It would be intriguing to see if he gets his wish of guiding a team that is underperforming in the upper regions of the standings or those who want to make a last-ditch push for the play-offs. Watford and Norwich City are two clubs that come to mind right away.
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