NEIL WARNOCK has been tasked with saving Middlesbrough from League One football after coming out of retirement to replace Jonathan Woodgate as manager.
The 71-year-old takes charge of his 17th club following Boro’s dismal 3-0 home defeat to Swansea last weekend that left them out of the bottom three on goal difference.
Neil Warnock has taken charge of Middlesbrough after Jonathan Woodgate was sacked by the Championship strugglers
And the veteran, who left Cardiff in November after three years, said it was a “no-brainer” and he was delighted to be back in the dug-out – almost as much as his wife!
He said: “It came a little bit out of the blue last night, getting a phone call asking would I help, and that’s why I’m coming up.
“I’ve always had a lot of respect for Steve [Gibson] so it was a no-brainer really when he asked if I could come up and help out for the rest of the season.”
Ahead of his first game in charge away to relegation rivals Stoke City on Saturday, which will be behind-closed-doors, he continued: “It’ll be nice to have eight games without being booed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever driven this far up for anybody else. Steve has always had a high place up in my thoughts. It’s one of those things, I thought if I could help, I will do.
“I hadn’t thought about it until last night, that’s how things happen, that quickly. Sharon didn’t mind me coming up. I was a bit dubious when she closed the door quickly!”
Warnock, who is bringing trusted lieutenants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson with him, has penned a short-term deal until the end of the season and refused to look any further when quizzed on his ambitions.
“At my age, you don’t look too far ahead,” he added.
“I think it’s just safety really. There’s some big teams down there and it’s a difficult league.
“There’s no divine right in this league because you don’t get an easy game. It’s dog eat dog. It’s just a matter of trying to give the lads a bit of confidence.
“It’s a change of voice at this stage and we’ve just got to try and get the right results to make sure that the club stabilises itself and keeps its position in the Championship.
“I always expect players to give me everything, and as long as they do I won’t have a problem with anybody.
“You don’t normally get offered a job unless they are struggling.
“Jonathan will have learned an awful lot. I met him a few months ago and he is a sensible lad. This is how you get your experience, really.”
Jonathan will have learned an awful lot. I met him a few months ago and he is a sensible lad. This is how you get your experience, really.”
WARNOCK ON WOODGATE’S SACKING
Warnock began his managerial career at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980 and won promotion to the top flight on four occasions, the last with Cardiff in 2018, with eight in total on his CV.
Sun Sport understands he met his new squad this afternoon at Boro’s Rockcliffe HQ to take training.
Woodgate arrived for work as usual on Tuesday only to be informed of Steve Gibson’s decision after the chairman witnessed the awful Swansea defeat in person at The Riverside.
The former Real Madrid and England defender then said his goodbyes and thanked staff before leaving – although Sun Sport understands the club want him to stay on in another capacity with Gibson believing he is a “real asset” to Boro.
Republic of Ireland legend Robbie Keane is also set to leave his role as No2, while goalkeeper coach Danny Coyne and first-team coach Leo Percovich are both being kept on.
Pressure has been mounting on Woodgate for months after a dreadful campaign in charge of his hometown club.
He was appointed boss last summer on a three-year contract after the departure of Tony Pulis, who he worked under as coach for two seasons at The Riverside.
But he could only lead Boro to nine wins out of 38 in the second tier, and he leaves them just one place above the drop zone.
Gibson offered his public backing to Woodgate at the start of March, saying he had his “full support” and he’s “not the problem” at the club.
That was followed by a draw against Nottingham Forest and a win at Charlton to lift them out of the bottom three.
However, having witnessed the awful performance following the three-month coronavirus break, he has acted quickly to bring in Warnock in an attempt to save them from the drop.
Neil Warnock leaves fans in hysterics as Cardiff boss stares into TV camera
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
