Warnock leaves Middlesbrough just days after breaking management record

Neil Warnock has left his job as Middlesbrough manager - just minutes after today's 1-1 draw at West Brom.

The veteran has parted company with the Championship side, after taking up the post in June 2020.

It was the 16th club of Warnock's managerial career, which started at Gainsborough Trinity way back in 1980.

A statement on Boro's website said: "The decision was reached after talks between the two parties and Neil leaves the club with the best wishes of all.

"Neil joined the club in June 2020 when he initially came in for our final eight games and secured our Sky Bet Championship status on the final day of the season. He also managed the club during the unprecedented and challenging season of 2020/21 when games were played behind closed doors.

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Neil Warnock was in charge of Middlesbrough since June 2020

"Neil broke the record in English football earlier this week when he clocked up 1,602 games as an English manager, an amazing achievement that is unlikely to be beaten. Neil's assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson will also depart the club.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks to Neil and his staff for all their hard work during their time with us."

Today's hard-fought point away at the Baggies proved to be the last act of the Warnock era. His side went in front just before half-time thanks to Josh Coburn's effort.

Middlesbrough's trip to West Brom on Saturday proved to be Neil Warnock's final game in charge of the club

Grady Diangana levelled up matters after the hour mark and that's how it ended. But the speed of the decision indicates that there was already an arrangement in place for Warnock to leave whatever the outcome against Valerien Ismael's side.

Our colleagues at Teesside Live report that honest conversations were had between Warnock and owner Steve Gibson with the pair agreeing that it was in all parties' best interests for the 72-year-old to leave his role.

Earlier this week Warnock became a record-breaker when he took charge of his 1,602nd game in league management in Boro's 3-1 loss at Luton.

But in the build-up to that game he spoke of how he may well give up following football once he eventually retires, owing to the abuse that many managers now face.

"It's got really, really nasty," Warnock said.

"I couldn't have done what Steve Bruce did at Newcastle, if I'm honest. I don't need the job that much. I don't mean that as disrespect to Steve, but I couldn't work in that environment at all, me.

"I didn't think he deserved that. One of the seasons, his record was as good, if not better, than Rafa Benitez, but because they love Rafa Benitez and he wasn't Mike Ashley's man, he got away with murder, whereas poor old Steve gets hung, drawn and quartered.

"It's not getting any easier. I doubt if I'll ever watch football again when I retire, if I'm honest."

Boro now have a fortnight before their next game - Millwall at home on November 20 - and the search is on for Warnock's successor.