After 14 months of disappointment, Leeds show Warnock the door

The 64-year-old said in the wake of his side’s 2-1 defeat to Derby - their sixth game without a win that left them 12th in the table - that he would be telling the club’s owners, GFH Capital, that it would be best for someone else to take the team for the remaining six matches of the season.

Warnock had always maintained he would leave if Leeds did not achieve promotion from the npower Championship this season and with relegation fears now more relevant than Premier League hopes, the club announced his departure in a statement shortly after.

Academy coach Neil Redfearn has been placed in temporary charge of the side with the club adding that he would do so until a “permanent appointment” was made. Warnock’s long-time assistants, Ronnie Jepson and Mick Jones, have also left Elland Road.

“We would like to thank Neil for his efforts during his time as our manager and share his disappointment that we could not achieve promotion this season,” said Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey.

Warnock spoke candidly about his position after today’s game - the latest in a long line of fixtures where he has been the subject of vicious chants from his own supporters.

“I know the fans chant different things about me going back to Cornwall and I will,” he said.

“You have to be careful what you wish for as a fan - the majority appreciate the job I have done and I speak to a lot, but you always get a minority.

“I’m the only one at the front getting the stick at the minute, as soon as a goal goes in, there’s no one else to have a go at. It would appease the fans if we put someone in temporary.

“I’ve always wanted to take the club up and I am so frustrated this year I would stay with the supporters (on side) but it won’t come to that. GFH know the situation.

“I think you have to use common sense and by GFH asking me to stay, it doesn’t appease the fans. We don’t need that, we need to get behind whoever is in charge and then look forward to a good summer. I am convinced GFH will support the new manager.”

Warnock took over the Leeds reins from Simon Grayson in February last year was in charge for 63 games, saying it would be his last job and would be aiming for a record eighth promotion.

He has yet to confirm if he will stick to his initial plan to retire but has recently stated his aim to take on a director of football role at another club.

His time in charge of Leeds coincides with the purchase of the club by GFH Capital from from Ken Bates, with Warnock often frustrated by what was a seven month long transaction, although he was called a “legend of the British game” at the time by his new employers.

The former Sheffield United boss claimed tonight not to regret taking the job, though, adding: “I’ve been a manager for 33 years and this is as hard a 12 months as I’ve had anywhere and I wish I was younger to take it on properly. Leeds United consumes you. I’ve given it my best shot.

“Leeds should get the right man, support him and have a right go. I don’t see anyone being any better than Leeds next season.”

Out of work former Reading manager Brian McDermott and ex-Bolton boss Owen Coyle will put themselves forward for the role Press Association Sport understands, while the club regards Brighton’s Gus Poyet highly.

Former captain Richard Naylor, who has taken the club’s under-18 side through a title-winning season, is also expected to be mentioned as a candidate.

NEIL WARNOCK FACTFILE

1948: Born Sheffield, December 1.

Warnock spent an 11-year career in the lower leagues where he played for Chesterfield, Rotherham, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Aldershot, Barnsley, York and Crewe.

1981: Enters management with Northern Premier League side Burton.

1985: Moves on to Scarborough who secure promotion into the Football League.

1989: Joins Notts County and guides them from the old Third Division to the First Division in successive seasons.

1993: Joins Huddersfield.

1995: Wins fourth promotion in nine seasons, taking the Terriers into the First Division.

1996: Becomes manager of Plymouth and wins promotion via the play-offs.

1997: Takes over at Oldham in March but spends just 15 months in charge and suffers relegation.

1998: Appointed Bury boss in succession to Stan Ternent but they are relegated and he leaves after 18 months.

1999: December 2 - Takes up the manager’s position at Sheffield United after Adrian Heath steps down at Bramall Lane.

2002: April 5 - the Football Association issue six charges relating to incidents during the Sheffield United match against West Brom. Warnock charged with improper conduct after the game is abandoned with the Blades reduced to six men and the Baggies leading 3-0 in ‘the Battle of Bramall Lane’.

2002: May 2 - Warnock cleared but found guilty of misconduct in relation to the fourth official during the West Brom game. Handed a reprimand and a £300 fine.

2003: January - Takes United to semi-finals of the League Cup before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Liverpool.

April 13 - Warnock’s team lose 1-0 to Arsenal in FA Cup semi-final.

May 26: Lose to Wolves in the play-off final at Millennium Stadium. Warnock banished from touchline after confronting referee Steve Bennett in players’ tunnel at half-time.

2005: December 1 - Warnock turns down a move to Portsmouth to continue as Blades boss.

2006: April 15 - Following the Blades’ win at Cardiff the previous night, Leeds’ inability to beat champions Reading at Elland Road confirms their Yorkshire rivals’ automatic promotion to the Premiership.

April 18 - Sent to the stands by referee Graham Poll during the 1-1 draw with Leeds at Bramall Lane following an altercation with Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell.

May 18 - Given a six-match touchline ban, four of which were suspended, and a £1,000 fine following the incident against Leeds at Bramall Lane.

August 19 - Oversees his first game as a Premier League manager, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Bramall Lane.

September 22 - Takes charge of his 1,000th game as a manager when the Blades lose 3-0 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

2007: May 11 - Announces he has turned down a new two-year contract offer.

May 13 - Sheffield United are relegated by one goal on goal difference following a 2-1 defeat by Wigan and West Ham’s 1-0 win at Manchester United.

May 16 - Leaves Sheffield United.

October 11 - Unveiled as new Crystal Palace manager.

2008: May - Leads Palace to the Championship play-offs where they are beaten in the semi-finals by Bristol City.

2010: January 28 - Palace are deducted 10 points by the Football League for going into administration.

March 1 - Appointed manager of QPR on a three-and-half-year contract after a compensation package was agreed with Palace.

2011: May - Secures promotion to the Premier League after QPR win the Championship.

August - Malaysian business tycoon Tony Fernandes completes his takeover of QPR.

2012: January 8 - Sacked as manager of QPR.

February 18 - Confirmed as the new manager of Leeds.

2013: January 13 - Leads the club to a shock FA Cup win over Tottenham.

April 1 - Leaves Leeds following a 2-1 home defeat to Derby, leaving them 12th in the table, eight points off the play-offs.

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