Warnock: I’ll still be running Leeds next week

Warnock admitted that an “almost fatal result” had effectively ended Leeds’ play-off charge and ruled out any chance of him remaining as manager beyond this season, with United resigned to another year outside the Premier League.

The 64-year-old, whose contract expires in June, said he would leave his post as soon as club owner GFH Capital secured his replacement but he offered to see Leeds through their remaining eight matches, beginning at Portman Road in a fortnight’s time.

A James Vaughan goal earned Huddersfield a late win at Elland Road on Saturday, casting United seven points adrift of the Championship’s last play-off position.

Warnock told the YEP: “If the club can get the best man, then I’ll stand aside. I’d never stand in the way of a club who want to change direction.

“But it’s no good letting me go just to appease people or to be seen to be doing the right thing. Everyone knows I’ll be gone soon enough.

“From the club’s point of view, they’ve got to bring the right man in. This club needs a top manager. The top manager. In the meantime I can hold the reins.

“I’ll be planning for Ipswich. As a manager it’s what you’ve got to do. But what happens next is out of my hands. How many managers say ‘I’m planning for the next game’ and then get sacked two hours later? You can’t pre-empt that. The thing about me is that whatever decision the club make, I’m agreeable to it. I’ll accept it.”

Nigel Adkins is the bookmakers’ favourite for the soon-to-be-vacant post at Elland Road, ahead of Gareth Southgate and Paulo Di Canio.

GFH Capital has made no comment since Saturday’s result. But Warnock said: “I don’t want them to panic and get just anybody. I’ve seen some of the people putting their hat in the ring and, quite honestly, I think they should be patient.”

Warnock added: “This season’s been a culmination of everything. You could probably say there’s been too much to deal with. But even though it’s been a missed opportunity, it’s still been a great experience for me. I was proud to get the chance to come here and I do feel that I’ve given it my best shot.”

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