Warnock Resigns - Sheffield United
Manager Quits after Blades are Relegated from Premiership
Neil Warnock joins the list of managers to leave their posts in the past days. He has been at Sheffield United for seven and a half years, since December, 1999. His resignation comes three days after Sheffield United were relegated from the Premiership, following their home defeat to fellow strugglers, Wigan Athletic. The 2-1 win for Wigan saved them but consigned Sheffield United to relegation.
Warnock had led the 'Blades' to promotion in May, 2006 but after one season they have returned to the Championship. After a difficult start to the season, Warnock turned Sheffield United round and by February time the club looked to have done enough to secure another year in the top flight. However, a slip in form coupled with an unexpected turn around of form from West Ham United, brought United into the relegation equation. A conclusive 3-0 victory West Ham at Bramall Lane in mid-April seemed to have given them the advantage but it wasn’t enough as they only took four points from their final five Premiership games.
Tevez Controversy:
Sheffield United are one of the teams most annoyed by the punishment handed out to West Ham United over the irregularities surrounding their signing of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano last summer. They feel that West Ham have got off lightly and they have suffered unfairly because of the decision. Sheffield United’s Chairman, Kevin McCabe, is in discussion with the other teams who were in the relegation zone to see what action they should take in their search for justice.
Meanwhile Sheffield United are without a manager and Neil Warnock joins the growing list of managers with Premiership experience who are out of work - Chris Coleman, Glenn Roeder, Paul Jewell and Stuart Pearce will be able to apply for any football vacancies that might arise.
Vast Managerial Experience:
Warnock has vast experience as a manager at smaller clubs gaining promotion for many of them during his time in charge. He brought Scarborough from the Conference to the 4th Division, gained promotion with Notts County in two successive seasons and also had promotion success at Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle. Last season Sheffield United were runners-up in the Championship but the hard-working, combative style of play that Warnock produces from all his teams wasn’t enough to keep them in the Premiership.
In 2002-03 he took Sheffield United to the semi-finals of both Cup competitions and to the 1st Division play-off final.
Last September Warnock led Sheffield United in his 1000th game as a manager and he was one of the longest serving managers in their lengthy history.
Controversial Character:
Not one to avoid controversy, Warnock has had numerous run-ins with players, managers, officials and the football authorities. He was totally committed to his team and he expected his players to be the same.
