Ex-Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock makes retirement claim after Championship job snub

EX-Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock says he's retired - again - after leaving Aberdeen and being overlooked for the Plymouth job.

The 75-year-old has made several retirement announcements over the years only to be tempted back into the dugout - but this time he claims his management career is over for good.

Warnock started the season in charge of Huddersfield Town but left in September before a short stint in Scotland at the start of this year. The ex-Boro manager joined Aberdeen in February in an interim caretaker role but left last month after a difficult spell in which he won just two of his eight games in charge.

But he was willing to make a swift return to the dugout when Plymouth sacked Ian Foster earlier this week.

Argyle have slipped to just a place and a point above the Championship relegation zone after a run of eight defeats in 11 games and Foster - who replaced Steven Schumacher when he left for Stoke in December - paid the price, becoming the club's shortest-serving boss.

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Championship survival expert Warnock was willing to take the job and waiting for the call, but Plymouth have instead put director of football Neil Dewsnip and first team coach Kevin Nancekivell in charge until the end of the season.

"I would have [helped them], but not now," Warnock told talkSPORT.

"They've already decided what they're going to do, I would have helped them. But they're going with Neil Dewsnip, who is the director of football, and coach Kevin Nancekivell.

"They've been there a while, they know the players - and they've got some good players."

Further pressed on his plans, Warnock said: "Oh I'm retired now!"

"It's all done and dusted now, and I'm looking forward to going round some of the islands [in Scotland]."

Warnock was also asked if he'd wanted the Plymouth job in an interview with BBC Radio Devon.

He said: "I would have done it if they'd have asked me, but they haven't they've gone that way.

"They've got some really good players. I've seen enough of the players this year, (Morgan) Whittaker especially, to know that they've got enough to stay up.

"I know the other teams down at the bottom end, and they (Plymouth) are more than capable of staying up.

"You've got to eliminate the little errors for goals and rely on the players that you've got.

"I love the club so I just want them to do well and I'll be going to some of the games and hoping that they can get the results."