Neil Warnock linked to Bristol City and Cardiff City but timing is odd as ex-Boro boss looks for new post

Bristol City have been strangely linked with Neil Warnock, with the 73-year-old looking for a new job.

The Sun reports that Warnock is of interest to both Bristol City and Cardiff City, his former club, after departing from Middlesbrough on 6 November by mutual consent.

The former QPR, Sheffield United, Rotherham, Crystal Palace and Leeds United boss has a magnificent promotion record but lasted only 18 months at the Riverside Stadium, after initially steering the north east side clear of relegation worries.

The article says that Bristol City ‘are also looking at Warnock as a potential candidate if they decide to make a change’, along with the Bluebirds.

BristolWorld understands that there is little truth in the claims from the tabloid, as regards the Robins, and City supporters were quick to denounce the story on social media on Friday morning too.

But with Steve Morison’s team just three points above the teams in the relegation zone an appointment over the Severn Bridge may be more likely.

Nigel Pearson’s job is not under pressure and although results have not been as would be liked, there is a recognition at the club and among the City supporter base that this is a transitional year and that Pearson has not had enough time to fully make his mark on the club.

Pearson signed a three-year deal last April, and hoped to be in contention for promotion by the end of that time if not before.

Warnock may be amenable to a move to the West Country, however, as he has a home near Stoke Climsland in Cornwall, sometimes taking his teams on a pre-season tour of the South West.

The man of eight EFL promotions, the English football record, is sure to have suitors given his experience and record.

However Warnock has also had several run-ins with City and the club’s fans over the years, from the ‘ghost goal’ scored by Freddie Sears back in 2009 by his then Crystal Palace side that was not registered as a goal against Bristol City, to joking back in 2017 that, “When I pass away, I don’t want clapping or a minute’s silence, I want a minute’s booing at Bristol City”.

It would be a very divisive appointment if Warnock was ever appointed at Ashton Gate, despite much appreciation across the Championship for his managerial record.

He did however once apply for the vacant Bristol City job, contacting Steve Lansdown personally after Steve Cotterill was sacked and before Lee Johnson was appointed.

The club decided to go with Johnson as a head coach instead, with Rotherham appointing Warnock that same month instead, and then Cardiff hiring him in October later that same year.

And it was Johnson’s side that then beat Warnock and Cardiff in the Severnside Derby at the Cardiff City Stadium in November 2019 that led to the then Bluebirds boss leaving the Welsh capital, with his team 14th in the Championship table.