Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock will become the man with the most games managed in English professional football when he leads his side out in tonight’s EFL Championship clash at Luton Town. The veteran manager’s career has been a colourful one – but he’s yet to win a major trophy.Mention the name of Neil Warnock to an average football fan in England and chances are that the first thing you’ll hear is a swear word. To put it mildly, the 72-year-old coach is not a universally loved character.A record-breaking 1,602nd game as a manager in English professional football for Neil Warnock tonight, achieving a record eight promotions in that time.What a career! 👏#EFL pic.twitter.com/WnPe25rw6k— EFL (@EFL) November 2, 2021 There are many situations where Warnock turned out to be a bit of a hypocrite – and football fans don’t forget those things in a hurry. For example, speaking about Senegalese legend El Hadji Diouf in 2011, the then-QPR boss was less than kind.”For many years I have thought he was the gutter type – I was going to call him a sewer rat, but that might be insulting to sewer rats. He’s the lowest of the low.”A few months later, Warnock took charge of Leeds United and signed Diouf.For all his troubles, Warnock was given an insulting nickname that stuck for many years: Colin Wanker, which is an anagram of his name. But the football-loving Yorkshireman doesn’t seem to be too bothered by it.##EDITORS_CHOICE##A few days ago, the Middlesbrough tactician equalled the record held by Dario Gradi, the legendary Italian-English coach who managed Crewe Alexandra for 24 years. Tonight, after managing for 40 years, Warnock will become the undisputed record holder.”I never set out to do anything like breaking records. 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.”After what he describes as ‘a hard childhood’, Neil played football for just over a decade, never reaching England’s top divisions. At just 30, he hung up his boots and became a part-time manager in 1980. In those days, he sold insurance, worked in a grocer’s, set up practice as a qualified podiatrist. Still, the draw of the game was too strong. He embarked on a managerial career that would see him become one of the best-known names in the sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_5949295##Still, for all the years and matches in the dugout, relegations and promotions, decades of banter between him and opposing supporters, Warnock has never won a trophy. At least not those worth mentioning. His ‘trophies’ were always promotions. During his career, he developed a reputation of being the right man to get you into the division above. He’s done it eight times – with three of those promotions being to the Premier League: with boyhood club Sheffield United in 2006, with Queens Park Rangers in 2011 and with Cardiff City in 2018.”I’ve already retired about 18 times!” 😅Ahead of Neil Warnock’s record-breaking 1602nd match as a manager tonight, here’s a look back at some memorable moments…Watch Luton v Middlesbrough live on Sky Sports Football from 7.30 tonight! ⏰ pic.twitter.com/MBmABcL3c9— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 2, 2021 The soon-to-be 73-year-old is still enjoying the game – and isn’t deterred by defeats, the abuse he often gets nor by sackings.”I have really enjoyed it and set out to give the clubs I am at something to cheer about and a bit of humour in the game. There is not enough humour in the game. I like to make people laugh and smile and enjoy life. 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.”We hope to see Neil Warnock doing his job for many years to come. And who knows – maybe he’s got one more promotion to the Premier League up his sleeve.EFL CHAMPIONSHIP – Round 16Tuesday22.45: (2.80) Nott.Forest (3.20) Sheffield Utd (2.60)22.45: (3.35) Peterborough (3.20) Huddersfield (2.25)22.45: (2.05) Millwall (3.40) Reading (3.70)22.45: (1.92) Birmingham (3.45) Bristol City (4.10)22.45: (2.50) Coventry (3.10) Swansea (3.00)22.45: (2.50) Luton (3.20) Middlesbrough. (2.95)Wednesday22.45: (2.95) Blackpool (3.20) Stoke (2.50)22.45: (3.60) Blackburn (3.45) Fulham (2.05)22.45: (1.62) Bournemouth (3.80) Preston (5.90)22.45: (2.70) Cardiff (3.15) QPR (2.70)22.45: (2.45) Barnsley (3.00) Derby (3.20)23.00: (1.40) WBA (4.50) Hull (8.50)***odds are subject to change
