Sheffield Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric today confirmed to Sky Sports that former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, affectionately known as Colin to Owls fans thanks to a less than complimentary anagram of his name, is in the running to become the next manager of the club.
Following the dismissal of Dave Jones as manager Mandaric revealed that the club had received in excess of 50 expressions of interest in taking on the job. This has now reportedly been whittled down to a short list of around 5 candidates, of which Warnock is one.
Warnock managed Sheffield United between 1999 and 2007, guiding them to the Premier League in 2006 only to be relegated the following season. During his time in the game he has riled Owls fans on many occasions and had a running feud with popular former Wednesday player and manager Gary Megson after some underhand tactics resulted in a match Sheffield United were losing against Megson's West Brom side being abandoned.
The former Blades manager was born in Sheffield and has made no secret of his love for Sheffield United. His managerial record boasts 7 promotions including taking QPR to the top flight in 2011. However, he was sacked during the following season and 5 of his 7 of his promotions were prior to him taking charge of Sheffield United over 13 years ago.
Warnock has had 3 managerial roles since leaving the Blades. Before his time at QPR he had a stint at Crystal Palace. This was initially successful but with the cash strapped club going into administration in 2010 and in danger of relegation the administrator stated that Warnock left the club as he did not have the stomach for the battle that lay ahead.
His most recent job was at Elland Road. Leeds finished a disappointing 14th in 2011/12 after Warnock had taken the job in February 2012 and the following season he was sacked in April with the club closer to the relegation zone than the promotion chase.
Warnock has been linked with the Owls job since Jones dismissal and confirmed that he is interested in the position. Sections of the Owls fans made it clear that they would not want him during Tuesday's home win over table topping Leicester in which Stuart Gray took temporary charge of the team.
Mandaric has spoken of the need to galvanise the club with this appointment but it appears that this appointment would only serve to divide opinion in a very emotive way judging by some of the chants from the crowd last night and what has been written and said on forums and via the local media.
Source: Owls-Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
