Leeds players are culpable for Warnock’s dismissal, concedes Brown

Veteran midfielder Michael Brown believes United have under-performed this season, culminating in a 2-1 home 
defeat to Derby County on Monday which precipitated Warnock’s exit. Leeds are now stranded in 12th place in the Championship, eight points adrift of the play-offs.

Former Reading manager Brian McDermott has already been linkied with the vacancy, along with Owen Coyle.

“It’s a shame that it had to end like that for the manager,” said Brown, who also played under Warnock at Sheffield United.

“We’ve under-achieved as a squad. We’ve got a good group of players who could have done better, possibily been in the play-offs even with what we’ve got.

“I think the manager was working on (signing) two or three players all along to give us that little bit extra, a bit of a lift, a bit more quality. It wasn’t to be, but I still think we had enough to be a touch higher so we’ve let him down a little bit, for sure.

“We don’t know the facts and figures of all the financials. The summer will see where we go spending-wise and what the new owners have got. We’re just there to play football.”

United defender Stephen Warnock commented: “I am surprised because I still think there is a lot to do until the end of the season and he was the man who could have done that.

“He’s the man who could have turned things around and got things right for us.

“I’d probably say that everyone within the team would admit that they’ve done something wrong at some point that’s either cost a goal or seen chances missed. It’s a team game and he prepares us as best he can and it’s up to the players to perform.

“When I came into the club I know things were said about other players being signed and they haven’t come through the door.

“I don’t think there’s a divided dressing room at all. I think everyone was behind the manager. He had our full support.

“I’ve only been here since January and only had a few months with him, but I’ve enjoyed every minute.

“I’ve nothing bad to say about him.”

Warnock believes the club risk standing still unless they appoint a director of football to liaise between their next manager and the board at Elland Road.

The 64-year-old insisted United were well placed to move forward on the back of his tenure, but called for the addition of a conduit to the staff at Thorp Arch.

Warnock said: “The position between the manager and the board is vital and there’s nothing like that at Leeds which is good enough. I don’t think the club will move on until they get somebody in that role. It’ll be interesting over the next six months to see which way they go.”

Warnock added: “The club should have a right go next season. I don’t see anyone coming down from the Premier League who’ll be better than Leeds – with two or three signings.”

Sutcliffe on Football: Page 22.