Neil Warnock reveals Bristol City regret during his 42-year managerial career The former Cardiff manager was more than happy to play the pantomime villain when he made an appearance at Ashton Gate please log in to view this image Neil Warnock has admitted one of the few regrets throughout his career was not having the opportunity to manage Bristol City. The 73-year-old announced his retirement from management earlier this month following a 42-year career that took him to 16 different clubs, eight promotions and over 1,600 games. Warnock enjoyed a memorable rivalry with the Robins, sparked during his time as manager of Crystal Palace when Jamie McCombe scored a 97th equaliser against his side back in February 2008. There was also no love lost with Gary Johnson following further controversial incidents including Freddie Sears' 'ghost goal' before labelling Lee Johnson an "absolute disgrace" in response to comments made before a game between Bristol City and Warnock's Rotherham. The rivalry with City supporters was also reignited when Warnock became Cardiff manager when he sarcastically said 'I always look forward to [playing] Bristol City. I always get such a warm welcome at Ashton Gate' before his first Severnside derby meeting. But while Warnock enjoyed playing the pantomime villain in BS3, he admitted his disappointment at not having spent time in the dugout at the Robins. Speaking to talkSPORT, in response to being asked the club he would have liked to have managed, he said: "There's been one or two. I turned Chelsea down which was a big thing in those days and I should have gone to Sunderland. "Bristol City has always been one. Even though I've been up against their fans here and there deep down I respect them and that's a big miss for me. "Sheffield Wednesday I nearly went there once and Rangers. I always wanted to go to Scotland, I once applied for the Aberdeen job but I didn't get a reply. Hearts too but they gave it to a Latvian so that wasn't much of a compliment to me." Warnock was tenuously linked with the Bristol City job in January with a report suggesting both the Robins are Cardiff were "interested" three months after he left Middlesbrough. He summed up his love/hate relationship with City and their supporters during his tenure with the Bluebirds when he said: "When I pass away, I don’t want clapping or a minute’s silence, I want a minute’s booing at Bristol City.” His record against City stood at 23 matches, nine wins, nine defeats and five draws. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/neil-warnock-bristol-city-regret-6975944
A truly great Manager outside of the Premiership, and probably won the most promotions at non league and league level, who I'd have loved at the Gate managing us a few years ago. A monster when in the opposition dugout, but he'd always defend his own team and stand his ground. It's a great shame he never managed us.
He would have got us promoted. Yes - by playing long ball - but I don't care - promotion by any means for me.
We think LJ was a marmite figure, Colin would definitely have been. I’m torn, I think he may have got us promotion, but I’m not sure I’d want the fan base split, and so probably better he never managed us.
LJ split the fan base, I think Colin would have too, the difference though,I think, is Colin would have gotten up promotion
Largely driven by you of course. Everyone I know who isn't a BCFC fan (and a lot who are) cannot understand it. All because he was GJ's son. Pathetic really.
I agree. Lansdown employed a novice with 'history' and the moronic Ashton. Terrible shame, doubt if City will ever recover.
What is this 'history'? Being part of the team that got us closer to the top flight than at any other time in the past 35 years, my, what a terrible history! Only the bigots were against him from the get go, and that novice did a lot better than our current 'experienced' manager is! I do agree on the Ashton part though, he, and SL by allowing him are what has put the club where we are, MA agreed the deals on wages, and SL signed off.
Amazing when you think about it.....The Johnsons.....GJ, closest we've got to getting to the Premiership and his son, whom was the only manager to keep us in the 2nd tier of English football longer than any other since the reign of AD......Yep terrible shame, that we couldn't progress on from how they left us...
Gave us Big promises, Massive record increase in expenditure, Massive increase in signings, Massive increase in wages, leading to Massive inherited debt & losses, Massive player departures to reduce costs, Massive split in fan base, No honours, 5 place increase up the table in 4.5 years, what progress, dress it as you like. GJ different kettle of fish, he achieved from a lower base to a higher level and at a lower cost than LJ, GJ was a bloody good manager in his time with us. (Here we go again)
Technically the debt was incurred after LJ left - up to that point we had been selling players for a profit The bottom falling out of the transfer market would then have affected whoever was in charge He does polarise opinion, but In the great scheme of things LJ was not one of the worst or one of the best we ever had
Wrong, he had to sell to buy! We never bought big before we sold big. Try again RR! The first big income came from Kodja, that sale kicked off the whole financial movement at City, not before.
Only because the haters and bigots won't accept he did an ok to good job, as a 'novice'. I'm not (as someone else put) saying he's the best manager we ever had, but he's nowhere near as bad as the haters on here would have you believe. I think most of them are angry that he did quite well as it proved them wrong; hence they won't let go.
What a childish statement - Haters & Bigots - just because they dislike someones management stlye and presentation methods, I wish LJ every success and future in life for him and his family.
Not at all childish; some of the anti-LJ comments from some on here were absolutely bigoted and hateful when he joined, and throughout his tenure. Don't try and rewrite history now it suits Wiz. Not saying it was you per say, but you had your moments....
Do you mean I thought he was ****er? I still do and he proved that with Sunderland but I don't hate and have no reason to be bigoted about him.
