Sheffield Wednesday: Warnock turned down Owls job three times

Rotherham United chief Neil Warnock has claimed he has rejected the chance to become Sheffield Wednesday manager three times in his career.
Neil WarnockNeil Warnock
Neil Warnock

Warnock, who spent over seven years in charge of arch rivals Sheffield United, was in the running to succeed Dave Jones in December 2013.

With the Owls lying second-from-bottom after collecting just one win from their opening 17 Championship fixtures, Warnock was approached by then chairman Milan Mandaric regarding the vacant managerial position.

Warnock said: “Milan (Mandaric) was insistent!”

But both parties agreed Warnock’s strong links with his boyhood club United would divide opinion among the Wednesday support.

Mandaric feared a fan revolt had he hired Warnock. Only Danny Wilson has ever managed both Steel City clubs.

“There was an intention by both parties, but there was no firm offer and we never really talked about the money situation in firm detail,” stated Mandaric. “That never materialised due to listening to supporters. I didn’t realise that it went that deep, that some fans would be totally against it.”

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s South Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough, Warnock said: “Over my career, I’ve had three opportunites to manage them, not just that last one.

“What I liked about the last one is that it seemed a popular idea for me to get them out of the cart. ‘If we’ve got to put up with him, we’ll put up with him’! The local paper (The Star) ran and poll and I was amazed how many Owls fans were prepared to accept it. It seemed that the majority were in favour.

“I like Milan and it was very tempting.”

Warnock brings his Millers side to S6 searching for his first away win since replacing Neil Redfearn at the helm. Rotherham lie 22nd in the table.