SO it’s that time of year again when Championship clubs start to really panic about relegation. And owners are surely going to think about pressing that bat signal to summon Neil Warnock to save their season.
One year after performing a miracle in keeping Huddersfield up, the Championship’s No1 firefighter is available after his short stint at Aberdeen. So, which club should be getting on the blower to Warnock right now?
Sunderland
The Black Cats are going to end mid-table. But Warnock says the biggest regret of his illustrious managerial career was turning down the chance to manage the Black Cats back in 1992 after they sacked Denis Smith. Malcolm Crosby went on to take the second division side to the FA Cup final that season.
Right now, they are in a bit of a mess. They bizarrely got rid of the popular Tony Mowbray and replaced him with the unpopular Michael Beale, who himself was sacked after just 12 games.
Right now, they need someone to walk into the Stadium of Light and put a smile on people’s faces.
Stoke City
The Potters have been underwhelming in the second tier since losing their Premier League status six years ago.
Gary Rowett, Nathan Jones, Michael O’Neill, and Alex Neil all failed to get them motoring – and Steven Schumacher is the current incumbent battling to keep them in the Championship.
Stoke appears to have put their lot in with the Scouse manager, and it is unlikely the Coates family who own the club will make any changes now.
Huddersfield
The Terriers were bonkers to get rid of Warnock in September after the wonders he performed in keeping them in the division last season.
His replacement Darren Moore proved to be a disaster, and they have now brought in their third manager of the season in Andre Breitenreiter.
The German coach has never worked in England and seemed a risky appointment. If I were the Terriers, I’d eat some humble pie and get Warnock back.
Blackburn
Blackburn has been sleepwalking towards relegation trouble for some time now. They only missed out on reaching the playoffs last season on goal difference, but having lost Ben Brereton Diaz and Bradley Dack, among others, it was always going to be a struggle this time around.
John Eustace, unfairly sacked by Birmingham earlier this season to make room for Wayne Rooney, currently has his work cut out at Ewood Park. If Blackburn wanted to secure their Championship spot for next season, Warnock could come to their rescue.
QPR
Warnock commands legendary status at Loftus Road after taking the club into the Premier League in 2011. I was surprised the West Londoners did not put in an SOS call to their ex-boss in October rather than go for Martí Cifuentes.
But in fairness, the Spanish coach has done a decent job and given them a great chance of staying up. So the Yorkshiremen won’t be heading back to Loftus Road this season.
Plymouth
This would be geographically the best job for Warnock to take – seeing as he lives in neighboring Cornwall. He took Argyle into the third tier back in 1996 after they beat Darlington in the playoffs.
Ian Foster took over when Stephen Schumacher jumped ship to take over at Stoke, and it is unlikely owner Simon Hallett will push him out.
Sheffield Wednesday
Can you imagine the kick-up it would cause in the red half of the Steel City if lifelong Blades fan and their ex-boss Warnock were to pitch up at Hillsborough?
Besides, Danny Rohl has largely been doing a great job – although their 6-0 loss at Ipswich on Saturday will have been of huge concern. I expect the German will see out the season.
Birmingham
It’s been such a pity that Birmingham have been without Tony Mowbray in charge as he continues to recover from his operation.
If City did want some help and drive for the remaining games while Mowbray continues to get better, they should get Warnock in. I’m sure he would be happy to help his fellow Yorkshireman.
Tell you what’s also “disgusting” all round
Mark Robins has rightly admitted he was out of order for goading a young ball boy after Coventry scored their dramatic 100th-minute winner at Premier League Wolves in the FA Cup. Rival boss Gary O’Neil branded his behavior “disgusting”.
But at the same time, ball boys should not be used as a tool by some home clubs to waste time. It is something that has been going on for donkey’s years – and any club that uses children to do that is also frankly “disgusting”.
Greedy Premier League snub EFL again
It’s no surprise greedy Premier League clubs failed to agree on a financial package with the EFL. The self-serving 10 clubs who torpedoed an £850 million package should hang their heads in shame.
Every single one of them has played in the EFL and are only in the Premier League because of the pyramid system.
The government needs to get a grip and urgently introduce much-needed legislation for an independent regulator to sort out a fair financial structure for English football.
So many clubs are struggling, and it’s wrong that 10 greedy clubs are getting to call the shots.
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