Warnock confirms retirement from football after 42 year career

The 73-year-old took charge of 1603 games, the most of any manager in the history of the English game.

His celebrating career spanned 14 different clubs - Scarborough, Notts County, Torquay, Huddersfield, Plymouth, Oldham, Bury, Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, QPR, Leeds, Rotherham, Cardiff - with the last being Middlesbrough.

He left Boro by mutual consent in November 2021 with the club sitting in 15th place in the Championship.

After his spell at the Riverside, Warnock insisted he was 'not bothered' about managing again and is enjoying a more relaxed life at home in Cornwall.

"I'm not bothered about going into it again," the ever-popular Warnock told the talkSPORT Breakfast back in December.

"Listen, [getting sacked] was a surprise, but these things happen in football.

"I was always going to pack in at the end of the season anyway."

Speaking on Sky Sports on Saturday, Warnock gave further details about his decision to call time on his career.

"I just thought it was the right time, really, coming towards the end of the season, there's not really a job you're going to get before then," he said.

"I've had a good run really. I'm enjoying things I've not done for years, I'm having a lot of time with the family, my dogs and I've taken up cycling too.

"I'm not saying the enthusiasm's gone, I've not lost that, but when I see some of my friends who are struggling health wise, there comes a time where you have to let your family enjoy a little bit more of your time, in particular my wife Sharon.

"When you're a manager you're very selfish, you take your job home with you whether you're on a high or a low and it's very difficult for your wife and kids.

"It's hard to replicate the final whistle when you're won a game, there's nothing quite like that in normal life, and you have to realise you're not going to get that buzz again in that situation. But I'm doing a couple of evenings in the theatre, and I imagine I'll still be nervous before them!"