Veteran boss Neil Warnock breaks record for most games managed in English football after taking to the dug-out for the 1,602nd time during Middlesbrough’s 3-1 defeat to Luton
- Neil Warnock is now the owner of one of English football’s most prized records
- The veteran manager has now taken charge of more games than anybody else
- Warnock, 72, hit the 1,602 match mark during Middlesbrough’s clash with Luton
- Since becoming a manager in 1987 Warnock has taken charge of 14 clubs
Neil Warnock is now the owner of one of English football’s most prestigious records, after taking charge of more matches than any other manager.
The veteran boss, 72, reached a landmark total during Middlesbrough’s recent away fixture against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Boro came away from the match having suffered a 3-1 defeat, though Warnock was in a buoyant mood after featuring for the 1,602nd time as a manager.
Veteran manager Neil Warnock has now taken charge of more games than anybody else
His first games in the Football League were in charge at Scarborough in 1987 (left), and he is now at his 14th club, Middlesbrough (right)
Since he first entered the EFL as a manager in 1987, Warnock has taken charge at 14 different clubs: Scarborough, Notts County, Torquay, Huddersfield, Plymouth, Oldham, Bury, bohyhood club Sheffield United, Crystal Palace (twice), QPR (twice), Leeds, Rotherham, Cardiff and now Boro.
He started his managerial career in charge of non-league Gainsborough Trinty and Burton Albion.
He has won promotion on a record eight occasions.
Following the match, Warnock told Sky Sports: ‘I never set out to do anything like that.
‘I can’t see something like this being beaten. In another 16-17 games, it will be the most Football League games. Hopefully I can keep my job a bit longer.
Warnock has highlighted having a sense of humour as important in a long managerial career
‘Simon Jordan got me out of retirement at Palace because I thought I was going to be finished after Sheffield United.
‘He told me to have a couple of months and help him out and it’s things like that that have kept me in it. Rotherham United was special. They got me back in after I’d called it a day then.
‘Those circumstances and having those 16 games at Rotherham really whetted my appetite for the Cardiff carry on. You can’t put your finger on just one thing that keeps you coming back.’
Warnock was also quick to acknowledge that his style does differ from younger managers in the game, for better or for worse. Nonetheless he remains content with his approach, ahead of his 73rd birthday next month.
Warnock added: ‘Younger managers get a bit brainwashed with clipboards and qualifications and forget the little things in life like the humour.
‘You can’t give them a course in humour. I have always enjoyed that part, and meeting the away fans, the banter and getting some stick.
‘I couldn’t have done as many games without humour.’
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