Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock says the vacant Derby County manager role is a good job for somebody as he recalls nearly joining the club in recent years.
Boro take on Derby on Wednesday with the visitors currently manager-less.
Derby parted ways with Phillip Cocu after a poor start to the season. The Rams sit bottom of the Championship, having won just once in 12 league games to date.
Wayne Rooney and Liam Rosenior are currently in temporary charge as part of a four-man team. Both figures have made it clear how they have plans to go into management.
But Derby may need a Warnock figure right now. The Boro boss talked up the Derby job and claimed he has been so close to managing the Pride Park club in recent years.
The number of times I’ve nearly gone to Derby over the last few years is ridiculous. I think I’ve [almost] been there about three times. I know how big it is, it’s unbelievable what they’ve done there [with the facilities]. It’s crying out now. Good, passionate fans. It’s always been a special club. It’s a good job for somebody, whether it’s Wayne [Rooney] or whoever it is because with the squad they’ve got, there is only one way they can go.
Derby, having spent 18 of the past 19 seasons in the Championship, have faced Warnock on numerous occasions with supporters knowing what he is all about.
It’s likely current Derby owner Mel Morris has considered Warnock on several occasions.
Warnock was available in both the summer of 2015 and 2016, but Derby instead turned to first Paul Clement and later Nigel Pearson as the Rams eyed promotion.
After Pearson’s short reign was over, Warnock was still without a club, but Derby turned to former boss Steve McClaren who lasted just six months before his second sacking.
Warnock, 71, joined Cardiff City in October 2016 and guided the Bluebirds to promotion in the 2017-18 campaign ahead of Derby who was then managed by Gary Rowett.
Mel Morris will surely now have regrets about overlooking the current Boro boss.
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