Neil Warnock: Can legendary manager repeat transformative effect at Aberdeen?
At 75 years old, Neil Warnock is back in management after being appointed at Aberdeen until the end of the season. The legendary manager has retired several times but he’s decided to take on a new challenge in Scotland.
It will be the 16th different club that Warnock has managed over a four-decade career, spanning almost 2,000 games in the dugout. After a modest playing career, Warnock started in management with Gainsborough Trinity outside of the Football League before progressing to the highest level of English football. Warnock has developed a reputation across recent jobs of taking over at clubs in turmoil, tasked with reversing their fortunes and that’s the current predicament at Aberdeen. Despite finishing 3rd last season in the Scottish Premiership, the Dons are languishing in 8th ahead of Warnock’s first game in charge against Rangers at Ibrox tonight. Aberdeen will target climbing the table under Warnock to secure a European place and we’ve analysed how he’s overseen immediate improvement in his last two jobs.
Neil Warnock: Ending Middlesbrough’s relegation fears in 2020
When Warnock replaced Jonathan Woodgate in June 2020, Middlesbrough were just outside the relegation places in the Championship on goal difference. The Teesside club were in serious danger of dropping into the third tier of English football but Warnock boosted their prospects. Under Woodgate, Middlesbrough picked up 42 points from 41 games at an average of 1.02 points per game (ppg) but that record improved considerably under Warnock. The veteran picked up four wins from their last eight games to finish 17th after taking over when Boro were sitting in 20th. Warnock decided to stay in charge for the following season and they secured a much improved 10th place finish.
Neil Warnock: Transformative effect at Huddersfield
Warnock was appointed at Huddersfield Town last season with the club in serious danger of relegation. Huddersfield were languishing second bottom of the Championship and Warnock was remarkably the six man to take charge of the side during 2022/23. The previous coaches had only managed to accumulate 28 points from their 33 games at an average of 0.85 ppg but Warnock had a transformational effect. He picked up 25 points from Huddersfield’s last 15 games at an average of 1.67 ppg to guide them to safety and a 18th place finish. Again, Warnock remained in charge for the following season but he was replaced by Darren Moore in September as the owners wished to move in a different direction.
The challenge Neil Warnock is facing at Aberdeen
"I want to pit my wits against the teams we come up against - and I want to win a cup. I've never won a cup,” Warnock said in his press conference. “I'd like to have a go in this league. And with a club like this. I want the pride back. Aberdeen is one of those clubs you kiss the badge and you mean it.” Warnock revelled in the attention during his unveiling as Aberdeen manager as he stated his target of winning the Scottish Cup. That, however, may prove a tad unrealistic as the Dons haven’t lifted silverware in a decade and they are miles off Celtic and Rangers. Securing European football represents a more realistic objective for Warnock although third place looks beyond them too as they trail Hearts by 20 points, although Aberdeen have two games in hand. Aberdeen have underperformed massively this season as they have a squad littered with quality and a fourth place finish while bringing some entertainment back to Pittodrie would quantify success for Warnock.
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 01.12.1948 (75)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Torquay United
- Current Position:
- Advisor of management
- In charge since:
- May 11, 2024
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 22.01.1980 (44)
- Nat.:
- Current club:
- Middlesbrough FC
- Current Position:
- Assistant Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- In charge since:
- Oct 25, 2022
- Total Market Value:
- €15.68m
- Competition:
- Scottish Premiership
- Position:
- 9.
- Manager:
- Jimmy Thelin
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Junior Hoilett
- Total Market Value:
- €31.38m
- Competition:
- Championship
- Position:
- 21.
- Manager:
- Michael Duff
- Squad size:
- 35
- Latest Transfer:
- Rhys Healey
- Total Market Value:
- €57.85m
- Competition:
- Championship
- Position:
- 10.
- Manager:
- Michael Carrick
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Luke Thomas
- Total Market Value:
- €95.95m
- Competition:
- Scottish Premiership
- Position:
- 2.
- Manager:
- Philippe Clement
- Squad size:
- 30
- Latest Transfer:
- Óscar Cortés
- Total Market Value:
- €132.85m
- Competition:
- Scottish Premiership
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Brendan Rodgers
- Squad size:
- 32
- Latest Transfer:
- Adam Idah
- Total Market Value:
- €19.68m
- Competition:
- Scottish Premiership
- Position:
- 3.
- Manager:
- Steven Naismith
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Scott Fraser