‘Refreshed’ Warnock vows to bounce straight back

NEIL WARNOCK has vowed to bring his abrasive and outspoken management style back into the Premiership as soon as possible after ending his near eight-year reign as Sheffield United boss by mutual consent.

Warnock insists he feels refreshed and already up for his next and probably final challenge despite lingering bitterness and disappointment over his beloved Blades’ relegation last Sunday.

The 58-year-old will begin looking for a new job immediately, insisting he has every intention of continuing to prove his critics wrong and proving he belongs as a top-level boss.

Warnock said: “I’m not about to lie down and I’m not about to keep my mouth shut. I’m not too bothered about these people who dislike me because I know a lot of people who do like me.

“I know there will be a lot of fans who would love Neil Warnock as their club’s next boss. I am looking forward to the challenge of going to a club who want to be as successful as quickly as me.

“That is what I’m looking for – a new challenge to bring the sparkle back. I don’t feel tired, I feel refreshed now I have made the decision because with all the circumstances I think it is right.”

Warnock insisted his decision, which was reached mutually during a meeting with the club’s plc chairman Kevin McCabe in Brussels on Monday, was unrelated to recent wrangles over a projected new contract.

Warnock was known to have been unhappy with the initial offer of £750,000 per year, which would have fallen to £450,000 in light of the club’s relegation after Sunday’s defeat to Wigan.

Instead Warnock said he had been affected by a series of what he deemed to be unfavourable events, including the Carlos Tevez situation at West Ham, and the decisions of some clubs to field weakened teams against the Blades’ rivals.

Warnock added: “It is not just about West Ham, there are a number of other issues that have disappointed me over the last few weeks so it was the culmination of three or four different things.

“Never in a million years did I really ever want to leave Sheffield United but it is the right thing for the club.”

Warnock, who despite already being linked with jobs at Leicester and Crystal Palace insists he is yet to have any discussions over a potential new role, said his successor would have a great chance of regaining Premiership status.

Warnock’s assistant Stuart McCall quickly emerged as the favourite to replace him although the inference today appears to be that McCabe will be searching for a more experienced manager.

McCabe said: “The objective we have got at United is to bounce back at the first attempt. We have got the infrastructure and a strong first-team squad, so we need someone with experience to take us back.

“We need someone who has done it before. Stuart will certainly be interviewed along with other would-be candidates.”

Warnock, who said he believed McCall is ready for management, added that even with the projected departures of the likes of Phil Jagielka, he believes the Blades will be the Championship team to beat next season.