Monday Nov 28 2005 08:35
Phil Jagielka is confident Sheffield United can secure promotion to the Premiership even if boss Neil Warnock leaves to take charge at
Portsmouth.
Warnock is the red hot favourite to succeed Alain Perrin, who was sacked from the Fratton Park post last week, and could be about to net a £1million-a-year deal with the Premiership strugglers.
His current £400,000-a-season deal at Bramall Lane expires at the end of the season with an extra 12-month option but, the fact he has not even been approached by the board about extending his stay suggests he could be ready to leave.
The Blades are sitting nine points clear of Watford in the second automatic promotion spot, despite a 4-2 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday, and Jagielka claims the players do not want Warnock to go but, if he does, they can still clinch promotion.
The midfielder said: "The gaffer has put a great team together and he and the coaching staff have been fantastic to us. It is all ifs and buts at the moment but if anything happens I am sure we have got the squad to deal with it.
"It would be better to do it with him still here. They are his players. Players he has brought in. We all want him to stay and he knows that."
He added: "He has done a terrific job for Sheffield United and long may it continue. I think he wants to stay himself, but sometimes it's difficult if a really inviting offer comes along.
"We are confident of being in the Premiership next season."
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