Self-confessed Rangers fan Neil Warnock has stepped down as interim manager of Aberdeen following their Scottish Cup victory over Kilmarnock.
The legendary English manager, 75, was initially supposed to lead Aberdeen until the end of the season following the sacking of Barry Robson last month.
But with the club’s dismal Scottish Premiership form under Neil Warnock hauling them into a relegation battle, Aberdeen have decided instead to appoint a new manager sooner.
The club’s search for a permanent boss is said to be at an “advanced stage” with former Hibs and Celtic manager Neil Lennon reportedly the leading candidate.
Neil Warnock urged Aberdeen manager chance
Speaking after the victory over Kilmarnock, Neil Warnock claims that he advised Aberdeen to step up their managerial hunt sooner rather than later.
With the Dons in a right mess as things stand, the self-confessed Bluenose insists that the new guy needs time before the summer to assess the club’s squad.
“I said I’d try to help them out and give them my advice. My advice is to get a new manager in as soon as possible now,” Warnock told a post-match press conference.
“They’re well down the line and it needs an overhaul in the summer. There’s no use waiting until then and they’ve listened to me.
“I think he needs to have a couple of months looking at the squad now in depth. Because I think to be successful – and you can be successful with the right recruitment – they need a couple of months to assess it.”
Rangers fans relished Dons appointment
Naturally there’s been a sarcastic reaction from Rangers supporters, who have repeatedly goaded their northeast rivals over comments Neil Warnock made about being a Gers fan last year.
Whilst the manager went on to claim that he comes from a family of Greenock Morton fans, talk about the Dunoon Rangers Supporters Club before Aberdeen’s visit to Ibrox once again highlighted his allegiances to the Gers.
It’s certainly been a short-lived first foray into Scottish football and something tells us it will be Neil Warnock’s last job north of the border.
Still, at least the manager got his chance to take charge of a team at Ibrox in his career, even if it wasn’t his beloved Rangers.
