Warnock: It’s up or bust for me

Neil Warnock has admitted his time in charge of Leeds United manager will be over if he fails to win promotion this season.

The 64-year-old hinted his reign at Elland Road could even end sooner as new Dubai-based owners GFH Capital plot the club’s future course and yesterday’s dismal display against Manchester City will not have helped.

“If we do not go up this season then I think everybody knows I am not going to be here,” he said.

“I am afraid I am going to have to get used to the chanting. I do not think I deserve that after the year I have had.”

Leeds currently lie in 12th place in the Championship, eight points short of the play-off places with 15 matches remaining. Former Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has been touted as a possible replacement and Warnock — whose contract expires at the end of the season — added: “It has happened to me at three clubs — three takeovers at Crystal Palace, QPR and now Leeds.

“Something has got to be wrong somewhere. That seems to follow me around.”

He added: “The fans are so desperate to get back in the big time and when they see the opportunity fading the manager has got to be the scapegoat, the focal point.”