Veteran manager returns to Scotland after 43 years
Neil Warnock has been appointed as the interim manager of Aberdeen until the end of the season, the club announced on Monday. The 75-year-old, who has managed 18 clubs in England and Wales, will take charge of his first game on Tuesday when the Dons face Rangers at Ibrox.
Warnock, who left Huddersfield Town in September, said he was delighted to be back in Scotland, where he started his managerial career with Gainsborough Trinity in 1981. He said he was looking forward to working with the players and staff at Pittodrie and helping the club climb the table.
“I’m very excited to be here. Aberdeen is a great club with a rich history and a passionate fan base. I’ve always enjoyed coming to Scotland and I have a lot of respect for the Scottish game. I’m here to do a job until the end of the season and I’ll give it my best shot,” he said.
Aberdeen seek stability after Robson’s departure
Warnock’s appointment comes after Barry Robson was sacked last week following a poor run of results that left Aberdeen eighth in the Scottish Premiership, two points off the top six. Robson, who took over from Derek McInnes in March 2023, won only 11 of his 38 games in charge and failed to qualify for the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said the club needed a change of direction and a fresh voice to steer them through a difficult period. He said Warnock’s experience and track record made him the ideal candidate for the interim role.
“Neil is a proven winner who knows how to get the best out of his players and his teams. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the game and he has agreed to help us out until the end of the season. We are very grateful to him for taking on this challenge and we are confident he will make a positive impact,” he said.
Warnock faces tough test in first game
Warnock’s first task will be to prepare his new team for a daunting trip to Ibrox, where Rangers are unbeaten in the league this season and have a 13-point lead over second-placed Celtic. Aberdeen have not won at Ibrox since 2016 and have lost their last four meetings with Rangers by an aggregate score of 12-1.
Warnock said he was not intimidated by the prospect of facing the champions and hoped to cause an upset. He said he had watched Aberdeen’s 1-1 draw with Celtic on Saturday and was impressed by their performance and spirit.
“It’s a tough start, but I like a challenge. Rangers are a fantastic team and they deserve to be where they are, but we have nothing to lose and we’ll go there with a positive attitude. I saw a lot of good things from the boys on Saturday and I think we can build on that. We have some quality players and some young talent and I want to see them express themselves and enjoy their football,” he said.
Aberdeen fans react to Warnock’s arrival
Warnock’s appointment has divided opinion among Aberdeen fans, with some welcoming his experience and charisma and others questioning his age and style of play. Some fans expressed their surprise and excitement on social media, while others voiced their frustration and disappointment.
Here are some of the reactions from Aberdeen fans on Twitter:
- “Neil Warnock is the new Aberdeen manager. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. What a bizarre appointment. #COYR”
- “Welcome to Aberdeen, Neil Warnock. A legend of the game and a great character. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with our squad. #Dons”
- “Neil Warnock? Seriously? Is this a joke? The guy is 75 and plays dinosaur football. This is a massive step backwards for Aberdeen. #AFC”
- “Neil Warnock at Aberdeen is a masterstroke. He will get us organised, motivated and fighting for every point. He knows how to win games and he won’t take any nonsense. #WarnockIn”
