Warnock says GFH takeover came too late to help him guide Leeds back to top flight
Mail 2/4/13
By Chris Wheeler
Neil Warnock admits that Leeds United’s new Dubai-based owners GFH Capital are ‘not really football people’ and blamed the protracted takeover for his failure to win promotion to the Premier League.
Warnock left his job at Elland Road after Monday’s defeat to Derby County ended Leeds’ playoff bid with the club just five points clear of the relegation zone.
But the 64-year-old manager believes the December takeover went through too late to help him strengthen his squad in the January transfer window, with the owners preferring to take time to assess the situation.
‘I think the investment will be there for the new manager to spend but I wanted it yesterday,’ said Warnock, who also lost his job at Crystal Palace and QPR shortly after the club was taken over.
‘I didn’t realise the takeover would take as long as it did – seven months for a takeover.
‘I helped that along. I was instrumental in getting them on board but it just came a little too late for January. I think the next manager will get the benefit of that.
‘I got on with them very well. They’re not really football people but they mean well and I think they’re aware of the quality we need now.
‘It just wasn’t to be. They wanted to come and have a look at what the club needed and do it gradually, instead of instantaneously which is what I wanted at this stage of my career.’
Warnock claims that Leeds never recovered from selling midfielder Robert Snodgrass to Norwich for £3million last summer.
‘From the start of the season it was very very difficult,’ he added. ‘I relied on having Snodgrass at the club but we had to sell him to Norwich and that was a major blow at a crucial time of pre-season. We never really replaced him.
‘We lacked two or three signings. The new owners know that. That will benefit the next manager because they know what they need. They’ve got a very good squad now but we just need that bit of quality that a Snodgrass type of player would have given us.'
Warnock believes that Leeds will take their time before appointing his successor after installing academy manager Neil Redfearn as caretaker.
He also revealed that he is writing the final chapter of his autobiography which promises to lift the lid on his 14-month tenure at Elland Road.
‘I’ve got a book coming out in June,’ said Warnock. ‘I’ve got another two weeks to finish the last chapter which should be interesting – the trials and tribulations of a football manager!’
By Chris Wheeler
Neil Warnock admits that Leeds United’s new Dubai-based owners GFH Capital are ‘not really football people’ and blamed the protracted takeover for his failure to win promotion to the Premier League.
Warnock left his job at Elland Road after Monday’s defeat to Derby County ended Leeds’ playoff bid with the club just five points clear of the relegation zone.
But the 64-year-old manager believes the December takeover went through too late to help him strengthen his squad in the January transfer window, with the owners preferring to take time to assess the situation.
‘I think the investment will be there for the new manager to spend but I wanted it yesterday,’ said Warnock, who also lost his job at Crystal Palace and QPR shortly after the club was taken over.
‘I didn’t realise the takeover would take as long as it did – seven months for a takeover.
‘I helped that along. I was instrumental in getting them on board but it just came a little too late for January. I think the next manager will get the benefit of that.
‘I got on with them very well. They’re not really football people but they mean well and I think they’re aware of the quality we need now.
‘It just wasn’t to be. They wanted to come and have a look at what the club needed and do it gradually, instead of instantaneously which is what I wanted at this stage of my career.’
Warnock claims that Leeds never recovered from selling midfielder Robert Snodgrass to Norwich for £3million last summer.
‘From the start of the season it was very very difficult,’ he added. ‘I relied on having Snodgrass at the club but we had to sell him to Norwich and that was a major blow at a crucial time of pre-season. We never really replaced him.
‘We lacked two or three signings. The new owners know that. That will benefit the next manager because they know what they need. They’ve got a very good squad now but we just need that bit of quality that a Snodgrass type of player would have given us.'
Warnock believes that Leeds will take their time before appointing his successor after installing academy manager Neil Redfearn as caretaker.
He also revealed that he is writing the final chapter of his autobiography which promises to lift the lid on his 14-month tenure at Elland Road.
‘I’ve got a book coming out in June,’ said Warnock. ‘I’ve got another two weeks to finish the last chapter which should be interesting – the trials and tribulations of a football manager!’