October 17 2009

Neil Warnock

Neil Warnock has refused to rule out a move to manage big spending Notts County following the sacking of Ian McParland, writes Nick Gentry.

The news will come as a blow to the majority of Palace fans who will surely fear the consequences of his departure. Warnock has been a stable influence and worked wonders in the face of difficult circumstances with the mooted sale of the club, financial restraints and the transfer embargos.

Presently, Eagles legend Peter Taylor; the man Warnock replaced at the Selhurst Park helm is the firm favourite for the County job but the Yorkshireman's affinity with the League 2 club will surely keep him in the frame.

The Palace boss made his name as manager of County between 1989 and 1993 where he achieved successive promotions to take the club to the top flight. And Warnock would probably relish the chance to repeat that feat with his career in its twighlight years.

Not to mention that the oldest club in the world has become an incredibly attractive proposition for any manager following the recent takeover by the Middle-Eastern consortium Munto Finance.

The 60 year-old may welcome the chance to rid himself of the financial constraints he currently works under and have one last tilt at building on his already impressive record of achieving promotions at every level of the Football League.

He got tongues wagging whilst working as a Sky Sports pundit during Notts County’s 2-2 draw with Torquay United; incidentally another of Warnock’s former clubs. He said: "You can never say never about anything in this business."

Indeed, after last months crushing defeat by Scunthorpe, Warnock himself admitted that he was close to walking out after what he described as his lowest moment in football.

He said: "I seriously considered it at the time. I'd never seen anything like it, it was absolutely horrendous and I really didn't see how we could fight back. I thought leaving might be the best option, but the idea only lasted 24 hours."

Luckily For the Palace faithful, they can seek solice in the fact that Warnock was also quick to point out that he is "Happy where he is for now" and has, on numerous occasions praised the fans for the welcome he and his family have received since his arrival in South London two years ago this week.

The former Blades boss is also a personal friend of Palace chairman Simon Jordan of whom he enjoys a healthy working relationship. A relationship that he insists was a deciding factor in staying to fight on after the Scunthorpe game.

"The thing with me and the chairman is that we like to prove people wrong," he said. "Things are tough right now but we keep each other going."

Palace have since recovered some impressive form and fans will hope that the speculation doesn't hinder recent progress.