Neil Warnock: A lower league gem who deserves a shot at the top

Championship / Paul Moon / 28 October 2010 / 2

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QPR's new hero

"Warnock's innate capacity to divide opinion has made him public enemy number one at times and turned off some of the biggest clubs, thus forcing him to serve the longest apprenticeship in football history."

There aren't many Warnock fans, but Paul Moon clearly is, and here he makes a case for the defence of English football's most outspoken managers

Neil Warnock is probably the most colourful and outspoken manager in British football today. His brash behaviour has created numerous enemies within the game and antagonised thousands on the terraces. He loves nothing more than to rattle a cage so it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the serious and the mischievous. During a long career some of his more controversial outbursts have been forcefully made and accurately proved, but there have been times when his ranting has lacked substance and this has looked very unattractive.

His tendency to argue knows no bounds and many believe that he only sees injustice from his own perspective. Despite being a qualified member of the fraternity he displays an exaggerated and somewhat silly obsession with the decisions of referees and one wonders if he uses this siege mentality in the same way José Mourinho did? The problem is that an odious rant from a dour Yorkshireman does not sound as poetic as one delivered in sultry Mediterranean!

His innate capacity to divide opinion has made him public enemy number one at times and turned off some of the biggest clubs, thus forcing him to serve the longest apprenticeship in football history. In effect he has been deemed too 'high risk' to manage a top club though conversely he was once offered three times his then salary by Ken Bates to manage Chelsea. His refusal to accept remains one of the strangest decisions in football while others have cited self-doubt!

At first glance he appears a cavalier job-hopper but the 12 clubs he has managed so far has been over a 30-year period, many of which have been in the basement of English football. His latest club is unbeaten Queens Park Rangers (their 12th manager in four years) and they are current favourites to win the 2010/11 Championship at [2.86], nearest rivals Cardiff are [3.05]. Betfair customers make the Hoops [1.76] to win promotion.

Of course it could be argued that Warnock is not suited to the Premier League. It has been suggested that he does his best work when lifting lower and troubled clubs beyond their potential. We know the Premier League is less about blood, sweat and tears and more about subtlety, blend and refinement, so would Warnock be able to make the necessary personal adjustments?

Warnock has gained a wealth of experience and in 1,188 games as a managerhe has gained 471 wins (39.65%) which is a high strike rate when you consider the means of teams he has managed. Furthermore he has a raft of promotions under his belt including taking Sheffield United to the Premier League in 2005/06 before being unceremoniously cheated back out of it!

One senses there is more in the tank. He clearly loves the game of football and he deserves another chance to manage at the top level. Despite displaying the occasional act of vulgarity and dishonesty a serious football man lurks below the surface. In contradiction he is not a fool, he can be both self-deprecating and brave and in quieter moments his observations on football are exceptionally astute and make for compulsive listening.

Those who enjoy watching car crashes want him to manage in the Premier League in the same way Ian Holloway of Blackpool amuses them, but some of us are genuinely interested to see what he has learnt outside the top flight. In previous tabloid copy his name has been linked with the England job and there is fun in that suggestion. But first, he needs to find success in the Premier League, no one can be sure if he has got the mojo but it would be a travesty if we never found out!

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Stampo | 28 October 2010

Some brilliant points. I, myself, am a fan of Warnock. People slag him off for moaning and complaining too much, but I admire his passion, determination and his sense of humour. Asked about lippi taking his job, his response was classic Warnock saying lippi wouldn't wanna come and manage the reserves.

A manager with a good record at championship level, a few promotions and a surprisingly high win percentage, I think, should definitely be given a chance in the big time, but I can't see any chairman taking a risk with him. I felt desperately sorry for him in the infamous tevezgate season.

Finally Moon's words about Warnocks rants not being as colourful as Mourinho's meditarrean ones is brilliant. Loved that bit.
Paul | 30 October 2010

Stampo

Thanks for your comments!

I must admit, what happened with Sheffield United, West Ham and Tevez was an absolute disgrace! Tevez made a decisive difference in preventing the London club from being relegated instead of Neil Warnocks team and a breach of the rules were proven yet the cheating was allowed to stand.

One of the worst moments of the Premier League history if not THE worst!

Looking forward to seeing Warnock manage in the Premier League but he is not there yet...