Former Plymouth Argyle manager Neil Warnock is on the move yet again, proving that he is still not done with the game which he has been involved in a managerial capacity for over 40 years.
Warnock’s new job is something slightly different and it could well point to the end of his time in management. Although that is not definitely the case, at 75, he is certainly entering the final years of his career and has stayed in the game for far longer than many others who’d have entered it at a similar time to him.
With a long and extensive list of clubs on his cv, including the likes of Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City, Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle to name but a few, Warnock is somewhat of a legend within the EFL and has even enjoyed stints in the top flight.
He’s now however taking a bit of a step down, and also making a slight career change, joining Torquay United as a board member to help lead the rebuild of the club. The 75-year-old, who had formerly managed the Gulls had only been out of a job for a matter of months having left his position as interim manager at Aberdeen in February.
After leaving the Scottish side, Warnock was heavily linked with the Plymouth Argyle job which came as no real surprise given his affiliation with the club. He was a real hit with Argyle fans thanks to a stint as manager between 1995 and 1997, a time where he’d lead the club to promotion to the old Division Two via the play-offs.
Many fans would’ve jumped at the opportunity to have their former manager back when Ian Foster was sacked in April, but the club opted for a man who was already in their ranks, Neil Dewsnip, to lead the club until the end of the season. Dewsnip would do a good-enough job, securing the Pilgrims’ Championship status on the final day of the season.
Given that Warnock lives in Cornwall, there were heavy links to a return to Home Park in some sort of capacity, but their former manager has opted for another Devon-based side in Torquay. Although on a smaller-scale it is a rather ambitious project with the club looking to get out of the National League South amidst a rather large takeover.
A statement by Michael Westcott, the Co-Chairman of the Bryan Consortium on Torquay’s official website reads:
“We are delighted Neil is joining the Board. He brings an unrivalled wealth of football knowledge and experience to Torquay United as we look to rebuild. There is a strong chemistry and mutual respect between Neil and Paul (Wotton) and we are excited about their approach to building a squad and the uncompromising brand of football they want our team to play.”
The club would also announce another former Argyle man, Paul Wotton, who spent time with the club as an assistant manager, as their new first team manager.
Writer’s View
It now seems highly unlikely that Warnock will return to Home Park as anything more than a spectator with his move to Torquay now confirmed. It’s quite a change from his last role in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen and has came rather quickly given the circumstances.
A legend of the game, Warnock has given plenty of fanbases joy and excitement and that includes Plymouth, who hold a special place in his heart.
He’ll be hoping that he can be as successful in his new role as he was as a manager and play a significant part in the future of Torquay.
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