Neil Warnock reveals why he took Middlesbrough job and the ex-Cardiff City staff set to join him
The former Cardiff manager will take charge of Boro for the remainder of the 2019/20 season
By Ian Mitchelmore
Tuesday 23rd June 2020
Neil Warnock says it was a "no-brainer" to take charge of Middlesbrough for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
Boro sacked Jonathan Woodgate on Tuesday morning following their miserable 3-0 loss to Swansea City at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
It was a result that leaves Middlesbrough hanging perilously above the Championship's relegation zone.
As part of the announcement on Woodgate, Boro confirmed that ex-Cardiff City boss Warnock will take over as boss for the remainder of the current campaign.
And Warnock has opened up on the reasons behind his decision to return to the game following a seven-month hiatus.
NEIL WARNOCK:
"It came a little bit out of the blue last night, getting a phone call asking would I help, and that's why I'm coming up," he said on Talksport.
"I've always had a lot of respect for Steve [Gibson] so it was a no-brainer really when he asked if I could come up and help out for the rest of the season.
"At my age, you don't look too far ahead. I don't think I've ever drove this far up for anybody else. Steve has always had a high place up in my thoughts. It's one of those things, I thought if I could help, I will do.
"I hadn't thought about it until last night, that's how things happen, that quickly. Sharon didn't mind me coming up. I was a bit dubious when she closed the door quickly!"
And when asked about his aims, he responded: "I think it's just safety really. There's some big teams down there and it's a difficult league. There's no divine right in this league because you don't get an easy game. It's dog eat dog. It's just a matter of trying to give the lads a bit of confidence.
"It's a change of voice at this stage and we've just got to try and get the right results to make sure that the club stabilises itself and keeps its position in the Championship.
"I always expect players to give me everything, and as long as they do I won't have a problem with anybody."
As with all Championship matches, Boro's remaining eight games of the season will be played without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Warnock - who will be joined by former Cardiff assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson in the North East of England - delivered a typically brilliant response when asked about playing fixtures without supporters in attendance.
"It'll be nice to have eight games without being booed," he added.
"This pandemic has brought a lot of people into perspective, not just in my life but for everybody. We've never seen anything like this before. There's been a lot of guessing and crossing fingers.
"It's good that football is back. It's nice that we can talk about things and get back to some sort of normality. It is a lot of peoples' lives and hobbies and they've all got their clubs to support. It's a great sport."
Warnock will come up against former club Cardiff at the Riverside Stadium on July 1
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