Neil Warnock, 75, set for return to football at iconic EFL club just weeks after retiring – but in very different role
NEIL WARNOCK looks poised to return to football for non-league outfit Torquay.
Warnock, 75, announced his retirement from the sport only last month after a short spell in charge of Aberdeen.
But the Sheffield tactician looks set for a comeback at Torquay in a non managerial role following the club’s takeover, where he has been advising a fan-led consortium.
The National League South outfit were saved from extinction by the Bryn Consortium, which is made up of local businessmen.
The group consists of Torquay fans Michael Westcott, Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, Tom Allen, Rob Hawes and Simon Robinson.
Co-chairman Westcott stated that Warnock‘s familiarity of the club makes him the perfect candidate to come on board.
Westcott told BBC Sport: “Neil’s knowledge of football is second to none. He knows our club very well, he knows our region very well.
“He and I have spent an awful lot of time together over the last six weeks or so and I think that relationship will continue. I think that Neil’s reputation precedes him.
“I think he’s a very reassuring presence both to young players and experienced players, and also to a football team manager.
“He’s been around the football world for more than 40 years and the fact that Torquay United can benefit from his experience, his contacts, his presence, his personality.
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“I think will be of tremendous support for the club as we start thinking about how we can be as competitive on the pitch as we possibly can.”
Warnock would return to the club 31 years after he saved them from relegation from the Football League by winning three of his nine matches in charge.
The experienced boss enjoyed an impressive 44-year career with successful spells for the likes of Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.