Championship

NEIL WARNOCK has announced his retirement from football. The 75-year-old stepped down as Aberdeen boss last month after just eight games at the helm.Neil Warnock has retired from managementCredit: RexThe legend won eight promotions in his lengthy careerCredit: GettyWarnock was linked with the Plymouth job following the sacking of Ian Foster on Monday, with the club in a Championship relegation scrap.Instead, Argyle have put director of football Neil Dewsnip and first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell in charge until the end of the season.And Warnock has now decided to finally call it quits after 43 years as a gaffer.He told talkSPORT: “They’ve already decided what they’re going to do, I would have helped them.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”But they’re going with Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell.”They’ve been there a while, they know the players – and they’ve got some good players.”Pressed on if he would return to the dugout, Warnock said: “Oh I’m retired now.”I would have [gone to Plymouth], but not now.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It’s all done and dusted now, and I’m looking forward to going round some of the Scottish islands.”Warnock was once a tricky winger, playing for the likes of Rotherham, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe and Barnsley.Neil Warnock given ‘perfect’ retirement gift by rival fans as Stoke help fulfil dream send-off with incredible chantWarnock’s promotion successes

Scarborough: Conference League title 1987
Notts County: Third Division play-offs 1990 and Second Division play-off 1991
Huddersfield: Second Division play-off 1995
Plymouth: Third Division play-off 1996
Sheffield United: Championship runner-up 2006
QPR: Championship winner 2011
Cardiff: Championship runner-up 2017

But he found a love for coaching in 1981 as player-manager at Gainsborough Trinity.He then went on to step into the Burton Albion and Scarborough dugout, wining the Conference League title with the latter in 1987.Warnock then became Notts County boss and got them back-to-back promotions from the Third Division to the top-flight.He turned down an offer to manage Chelsea to stay loyal to the Magpies – but he was soon sacked after their relegation back to the second tier in 1993.Spells at Torquay and Huddersfield followed before he achieved Third Division promotion with Plymouth.He was controversially sacked despite his popularity with fans and back-to-back demotions with Oldham and Bury followed.Warnock then landed his dream job at boyhood club Sheffield United and he helped them reach the Premier League.However, the outspoken boss oversaw the Blades’ relegation in controversial circumstances after Carlos Tevez inspired West Ham’s survival at their expense.Warnock then went to London clubs Crystal Palace and QPR, lifting the Championship in West London, before a year in charge of Leeds.Guiding Rotherham to Championship safety in the 2016/17 campaign came next – but he decided not to stay at the club.Warnock opted for a move to Cardiff and again fired a side to the Prem.Although history repeated itself as they were relegated at their first attempt.The legendary boss then became a relegation-saving specialist, coming in for brief spells at struggling Middlesbrough, Huddersfield and Aberdeen.READ MORE SUN STORIESOverall, he has the record for most promotions with eight.And no manager has took charge of more games in English football than Warnock on 1626 matches. More

FANS have urged Gareth Southgate to take a look at Ipswich star Leif Davis.The left-back, 24, has produced an incredible season in the Championship.Leif Davis unleashed a vicious left-footed strikeCredit: ReutersThe full-back has been in sensational formCredit: ReutersBen Chilwell is set to be Gareth Southgate’s pickCredit: GettyKieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys are sitting pretty at the top of the table after their stunning 3-2 win over Southampton on Easter Monday.Davis impressed once again, even putting his side 1-0 up on 13 minutes with an exceptional goal.The full-back controlled a diagonal pass in the box before unleashing a sensational strike beyond Gavin Bazunu.England’s regular left-back Luke Shaw has endured an injury-hit campaign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Manchester United star has not played since sustaining a muscular injury against Luton in February.Should Shaw not make it back in time for Euro 2024, Ben Chilwell is in pole position to be England No3 in Germany.With the Chelsea ace having failed to impress fans during recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, however, some want Southgate to look to Davis.One wrote: “Gareth Southgate, I hope you’ve been watching Leif Davis. He’s so much better than Chilwell.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERWhile a second cried: “Leif Davis is easily the most inform English Left Back right now. Southgate should have called him up in the recent friendlies.”A third posted: “If Luke Shaw isn’t fit for the Euros. Southgate Must get Leif Davis on the Plane.”Mauricio Pochettino takes swipe at Gareth Southgate as Chelsea boss reveals Ben Chilwell injury from England duty And another added: “Someone tell Gareth Southgate to go have a look at Leif Davis…absolutely class! Get him on that plane.”Joe Gomez was in Southgate’s most recent squad, having covered at left-back on occasion for Liverpool.Kieran Trippier, who is also currently sidelined, has been used on the left flank by the England boss.Davis, meanwhile, has played 37 times in the Championship this season.He has scored twice, while laying on an astonishing 19 assists – the most in the second-tier this term. More

JEREMY SARMIENTO climbed off the bench to snatch a winner SEVEN minutes into stoppage time and send Sky Sports commentators wild.It sent Ipswich top of the Championship and put a dent into Southampton’s automatic promotion hopes.Ipswich’s late winner saw them go top of the ChampionshipCredit: RexJeremy Sarmiento poked home a dramatic late winnerCredit: RexKieran McKenna has led Ipswich to nine wins in their last tenCredit: ReutersAnd anyone doubting the Tractor Boys’ staying power in this remarkable Championship promotion race had better start believing this lot can gatecrash the Premier League party next season.The second tier’s comeback kings looked beaten here at Portman Road after goals from Che Adams and Adam Armstrong put Saints firmly in the driving seat after Leif Davis’ 13th-minute opener.Saints were bossing the midfield. Stuart Armstrong had the freedom of the park. Ipswich were hit by the blow of losing striker Kieffer Moore after just 36 minutes.But anyone who writes off this Ipswich team does so with their peril.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoss Kieran McKenna once again showed why he is quickly establishing himself as one of the brightest coaches in English football right now.He made a triple change on the hour bringing on Jack Taylor, Harry Clarke and Nathan Broadhead.And two of them combined to bring Ipswich level with Taylor’s wonderful pass finding Broadhead and in one swoop he swivelled and struck the ball through the legs of a defender and past Bazunu.With five minutes left Davis was played in but Bree hauled him down and ref Michael Salisbury duly produced a red card.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd then McKenna brought on Sarmiento and after David Brooks squandered a late chance himself for Saints he ruthless punished them at the death.Davis crossed to the penalty spot where Sarmiento mis-kicked before instinctively lashing out with his right foot, nudging the ball beyond Bazunu.Dean Scoggins travels to FC Koln in Germany to find Europe’s best Away DayAnd the Ipswich boss said: “It was right up there with the best games since I’ve been here.“It was another brilliant match to be involved in and to win it in the last minute, it’s a moment to really cherish.“We kept out calm at half-time and just needed to regroup – and then the subs have done their job. That’s why these players are there – you need quality on the bench to win games like this.“This has been one of the toughest games to prepare for because Southampton cause so many problems.“I’ve almost forgotten what sleep is these past few days – but when you get a day like this it makes it all worthwhile.” Earlier Sam Morsy’s lovely raking ball found Davis on the left edge of the box.Musician Ed Sheeran watched the thrilling game from the standsCredit: PAAnd the Geordie thumped a ferocious effort past Gavin Bazunu at his near post – but the pace on the ball was what did for the keeper.But within the blink of an eye Saints were back level.Adam Armstrong crossed from the right and Joe Aribo burst forward to get on the end of it.The ball broke for Adam to score a typical poacher’s goal from six yards.Ipswich were appealing for offside but Cameron Burgess was playing everyone on.Here’s how the match played out on paper”It’s honestly a crazy feeling” 🤯Jeremy Sarmiento and Nathan Broadhead react to a breathtaking win for Ipswich 👇 pic.twitter.com/zJbFYgYKmh— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 1, 2024

And, incredibly, Saints moved into a 23rd-minute lead with a goal of sheer quality.Bazunu taking possession to the ball being in the back of the net took just five touches.Stuart Armstrong threaded a beautiful angled pass that dissected the Ipswich defence and caught Davis slightly out of position.And Adam Armstrong ran on to it to drive a low effort into the bottom left.Russell Martin refused to accept his fourth-placed Saints defeat and he said: “We were the best team and didn’t deserve to lose.“We had 17 shots on goal, had five huge chances and missed three. They had relatively little until late on.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We were the dominant team and should’ve gone on to win the game. Even when we were down to 10 men, we missed a great chance and they scored theirs.“So I’m proud of the players. It was a brilliant performance and if played like that between now and the end of the season, we’ll still have a chance of automatic promotion.” More

HEADS have rolled at Plymouth with Ian Foster being sacked following another dismal result.Championship outfit Plymouth find themselves precariously placed above the relegation zone.Ian Foster has been sacked by PlymouthCredit: GettyThey are just one point above the drop with six games of the season left to play.The Pilgrims have not won a league game since February 24, a run that includes five home games in a row without a win or goal.Foster’s team was booed off at full-time following Plymouth’s 1-0 defeat to Bristol City on Easter Monday.Their latest defeat was the final straw for Pilgrim’s chiefs to pull the plug on Steven Gerrard’s former Al-Ettifaq assistant after just three months in charge.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe former England Under-20 boss has now been removed from his position, with chairman Simon Hallett confirming in a statement: “Ian was hired through a thorough and extensive recruitment process and his coaching credentials really stood out when making the appointment.“But we have to balance long-term stability against short-term decisions, and we have given Ian as long as possible to see if results could improve.“Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case, and we feel now is the right time to make a change to give us the best chance of securing survival. Argyle confirmed director of football Neil Dewsnip will step in as interim boss, supported by first-team coach Kevin NancekivellMost read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAccording to The Telegraph, club bosses are willing to take drastic action to avoid dropping into League One.However, there remains speculation that club chiefs could look to appoint a “firefighter” to steer them clear of danger should things get even more desperate.Football icons’ strange hobbiesThe Telegraph report that former boss Neil Warnock in the frame for a shock return to the club, where he previously managed between 1995 and 1997.Journeyman Warnock, 73, left his job as interim of Aberdeen on March 9.This season is the first since 2010 that Argyle have been in the second tier, having been promoted as League One champions last season.Neil Warnock has been tipped as one potential successorCredit: Reuters More