Having managed 16 clubs, overseen eight promotions and taken charge of over 1,600 games, few have better footballing CVs than that of Neil Warnock.
The Sheffield-born tactician is well known for his enigmatic style of management, notorious relationship with referees and in more recent times, for being a social media sensation!
Ahead of his first visit to the Cherry Red Records Stadium, we sat down with Neil to discuss his recent comeback from retirement, his admiration for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, how he feels Jack Rudoni could reach the Premier League and his fondness of the Dons.
JOIN NEIL WARNOCK AND SPECIAL GUEST JACK RUDONI ON SATURDAY 1 JULY (FROM 3-6 PM) AT THE SILVER LOUNGE IN OUR STADIUM FOR NEIL WARNOCK - ARE YOU WITH ME? BY SNAPPING UP A TICKET VIA THIS BOOKING PAGE.
Neil, you’re fresh off the back of keeping Huddersfield Town in the Championship. Where does that rank amongst your career achievements?
At the very top. When we took over, after three games we were seven points adrift, then we looked at the fixture list and we had 11 out of the top 12 to play. It was frightening but the lads were brilliant, they all responded to what we wanted.
It shows what you can do. We had some fabulous results and topped it off by beating Sheffield United to survive. It was a great night!
Had you always planned to come out of retirement or was it an opportunity that was too good to turn down?
We had a really good time with the club the first time around, which was 30 years ago now. They really looked after us and the fans were brilliant with me. My wife Sharon said I should go and help them out – we weren’t doing anything at the time.
We liked the owner who has just sold up, Dean Hoyle, he was great for us as well. We wanted to help him get a sale. It couldn’t have worked out any better really with Huddersfield staying up and Dean being able to sell the club to a chap called Kevin Nagle, an American lad who I met yesterday.
Is there still a burning desire to take on another stint in the dugout?
You just don’t know! You do get tired but the lads around you lift you. When you’re around young lads like that, you make them laugh and they respond, it’s an amazing feeling. I never say never about going back to management.
You have to move with the times. What we said to players 40 years ago, you can’t say now. The world has changed and you’ve got to adjust and learn new things.
It’s the same with football – Arsène Wenger changed the game by bringing in strict nutrition and fitness regimes, you knew that if you didn’t follow, you would have a slight disadvantage. I know I’m classed as a dinosaur but I do move with the times.
Whatever anyone says about modern techniques, football management is still 90% about man management. Getting the best out of what you have.
My god Pep Guardiola is incredible. Manchester City are the best team I have ever seen in my life. And I’ve seen some teams! I saw Pelé play for Santos at Sheffield Wednesday when I was a kid.
When I was at Cardiff City we played them at home. It was 0-0 after 25 minutes gone. I stood there thinking we’d done really well. We then went in 3-0 down at half-time! The third goal that Ilkay Gündogan scored was so good that I was praising it under my breath on the touchline!
I know having better players helps but you’ve still got to deal with 25 of them. I hope he can get the treble if I’m honest.
What key piece of advice would you give a young manager in his first job?
I always say, if you can, try and get a good chairman. You’re only as good sometimes as your chairman. Some chairmen panic at the slightest bit of discomfort from the crowd and the poor old manager gets the sack straight away.
I was lucky, when I went from Gainsborough Trinity to Burton Albion, Ben Robinson was the chairman and he’s there now again. He never panicked, he always supported me. If you get the sack when you’re a young manager, it’s very difficult to recover.
We’re set to welcome you and Jack Rudoni to Plough Lane at the start of July. What was Jack like to work with at Huddersfield?
He’s one of the best young players I’ve ever had. I hope you’ve got a sell-on clause for him! I think he’ll go to the very top. He’s a fabulous boy.
He is going to need to slow down a little bit when he’s got an opportunity in front of goal, he snatches at chances a little bit, otherwise he would have had 10 goals whilst I was there.
His energy, drive and willingness to learn all the time will take him far. He’s a credit to his family and Wimbledon’s Academy. I’m looking forward to seeing him go to the top over the next few years.
Over the course of your career you’ll have no doubt faced Wimbledon a few times. Are there any memories that stand out?
I always felt that Plough Lane was my kind of arena. What I’ve always liked about Wimbledon is that they remind me of most of the jobs I’ve done – I’ve always had to build a team up from the bottom to get promotion.
They always seemed to confound the critics. They were always better when the odds were stacked against them. That’s what I’ve been like too really. I’ve always enjoyed going to places like Wimbledon. It makes you look round and think it’s your cup of tea.
You’re a good story teller and boast a rich history in the game. What do you make of the story of our Club?
You’ve got to take your hat off to all of you. It’s not easy. I’ve just heard that my old club Bury have started again. It shows how key the fans are to everything.
What do you make of your media popularity amongst fans young and old?
To be honest I’ve been amazed by it! My age group isn’t clued up on everything nowadays, so when someone said to me that I should join Twitter, I said there was no chance.
I just try and make people smile if I’m honest. I feel I can relate to the ordinary football fan. I think fans think I am funny at times.
How much are you looking forward to the event itself and what can people expect?
The gentleman who looks after me has contacts down at Wimbledon and I said to him that I’d like to go down and have a show there. I’m really looking forward to it.
I’ve always got on well in the London area. There’s a few stories that I think people will like to listen to. Let’s make it an evening to remember.
PICS: Pro Sports Images