MY ACCOUNT
A whopping 43 years after taking his first managerial post, Neil Warnock is up to his old tricks again.
The 74-year-old boss was coaxed out of retirement in February to try and save his old club Huddersfield from Championship relegation.
And after an impressive turnaround in fortunes, Warnock’s Terriers can seal survival with a point against another of his former sides, Sheffield United, this evening.
Ahead of that clash, we take a closer look at the charismatic tactician’s success in West Yorkshire.
Surprise return
In April 2022, Warnock appeared to have called time on a majestic managerial career.
He told Sky Sports: “I just thought it was the right time [to retire] really.
“Coming towards the end of the season, there’s not really a job you’re going to get before then. I’ve had a good run really.
“There comes a time where you have to let your family enjoy a little bit more of your time. In particular my wife, Sharon.”
Having managed 16 different clubs and secured a record eight promotions, he certainly had nothing left to prove — but an SOS call from one of his former teams proved too hard to resist.
Uphill task
Warnock guided Huddersfield to a memorable promotion back in 1995 — but survival has been the only priority this time around.
A meagre 28 points from 31 games meant he inherited a side joint-bottom of the Championship, with only 15 matches to turn things around.
It was a task that even the man himself was slightly daunted by.
He said: “It was the fixtures putting me off initially. I remember Ronnie [Jepson, assistant manager] ringing me after watching them at Stoke. He said: ‘Are you sure, gaffer?’
“He said they weren’t very good at Stoke. And the fixtures were horrific. Nine out of the top 10 still to play or something.”
Stunning upturn
During his first 13 matches in charge, Warnock has guided the Terriers to an impressive five wins, four draws and four defeats.
Though that run has only seen two clean sheets registered, the Terriers look far more solid and goals are now being scored at an impressive rate of 1.23 per game compared with a 0.90 ratio prior to the Yorkshireman’s arrival.
That is an even more impressive stat given his side drew blanks in four of his opening five matches — a run that included damaging 4-0 defeats to Burnley and Coventry.
Huddersfield enter tonight’s clash having lost just once in eight outings and full-back Josh Ruffels has heaped praise on his manager’s impact.
Ruffels, 29, said: “I think he’s definitely brought the best out of me. Just the way he coaches and his man-management has been really good for me.
“It’s just a more laid-back approach and the fact he just believes in you and doesn’t really second-guess anything is brilliant.”
Pep’s praise
Warnock’s work even received unexpected praise from the great Pep Guardiola only last night.
Four-time Premier League winner Guardiola, 52, was responding to comments from new Leeds boss Sam Allardyce, who had suggested his football knowledge was on a par with any other Premier League manager.
In his response, the Catalan said: “He’s right. Look what has happened with Neil Warnock at Huddersfield too. These are incredible managers.
“It looks like the young managers are best, with the tactics or whatever. But these guys are really good, they help us be who we are.”
A point against the already-promoted Blades would add yet another feather to the cap of one of English football’s most underrated coaches.
