Neil Warnock admitted he was “gobsmacked” as the decision for him to leave Huddersfield came earlier than he expected but he insisted he has done the job he set out to do.
Wednesday’s game at home to Stoke will be the 74-year-old’s last in his second spell with the Terriers as the club’s new American owner Kevin Nagle wants to make a long-term appointment as they bid to regain Premier League status.
Warnock returned in February, 30 years after he was first appointed, and masterminded an incredible escape from relegation, subsequently signing a one-year contract to help oversee a revamp off the pitch but he was aware his tenure was unlikely to last the duration of his contract.
“We’ve actually done what we set out to do really,” he told a press conference.
“Kevin has a three-year plan to reach the Premier League. I thought it would be about Christmas time but once they told me they wanted to bring someone in I think they had to move on quickly.
“I was gobsmacked really but when Jake (Edwards, chief executive) told me why I understood why.
“If you’re not wanted you want to go straight away. I don’t mean that how it maybe sounds.
“I always told him I’d do it until they were ready and then if they let me know I’d go. I’ve not fallen out with anybody.
“I think it was the right thing that I came back, I don’t think it would have helped anyone to come in in pre-season but we’ve made a lot of progress.”
Warnock came out of retirement to help his former club but he has not ruled out restarting his career.
“My health is good, I’ve never felt better. If anything I’ve got the buzz again,” he added.
“You don’t know what the next knock on the door is going to be. I’m sure when February comes round people will be asking me again.”
Edwards said they hoped to have a new manager in place by the end of the week.
“We’ve progressed in a number of areas and brought that stability to a level and that’s thanks to Neil,” said the chief executive.
“We wanted to make the decision from a position of strength, which is unusual. When the right candidate is available you have to make the decision.
“Few management duos could have kept us in the Championship and they’ve solidified their legendary status.
“We feel we are ready to move forward with our long-term plans to drive the club back into the Premier League and to make a longer-term managerial appointment.”
Rodri suggests Arsenal's mentality cost them Premier League title
Rodri has suggested Arsenal's mentality cost them the Premier League title, after Manchester City became the first team to win four straight English top-flight crowns.
City edged out Arsenal by two points on the final day of the season, their 3-1 win over West Ham ensuring the Gunners' comeback victory over Everton was immaterial.
Rodri scored the crucial third goal just before the hour mark to settle nerves at the Etihad Stadium, after Mohammed Kudus had drawn West Ham within one goal.
City finished the season with nine straight wins after playing out a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in late March, while the Gunners dropped three points in a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in April.
Reflecting on that goalless draw, Rodri accused Arsenal of settling for a point and hinted a lack of bravery had cost them.
Asked by Optus Sport for the secret behind City's success, Rodri pointed to his head as he said: "To be honest, I think it's in here. It's the mentality.
"Arsenal, also they deserved [to win the league], they did an unbelievable season, but I think the difference was in here.
"When they came here, they faced us at the Etihad, I saw them and said, 'Ah, these guys, they don't want to beat us, they just want a draw.'
"That mentality… I don't think we would do it the same way. We caught them.
"At the end, if you give us one point, we will win the last seven, eight games even though it's so tough. So I think it comes down to mentality."
Rodri did not taste defeat in the Premier League throughout 2023-24, with all three of City's losses coming when the Spaniard was suspended.
He has now gone unbeaten through his last 50 Premier League matches, with only former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell enjoying a longer such streak (56 games between 2002 and 2004).
City's historic triumph means they have surpassed the achievements of Huddersfield Town (1923-1926), Arsenal (1932-35), Liverpool (1981-1984) and Manchester United (1998-2001 and 2006-2009), all of whom won three straight top-flight titles.
They could also become the first team to ever win back-to-back league and FA Cup doubles on Saturday, when they face Manchester United in the final of the latter competition at Wembley Stadium.
Xavi unhappy with fans booing Laporta during Rayo Vallecano win
Xavi criticised some of the Barcelona fans for booing and negative chants towards club president Joan Laporta during their 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Barcelona sealed second place in LaLiga with the victory, also guaranteeing a place in the Spanish Super Cup at the start of 2025.
However, speculation about Xavi’s future continues to dominate the headlines around the club, with reports suggesting the Spaniard could be sacked despite committing a U-turn to stay at the club after announcing his departure.
During the game, Xavi received a standing ovation, while some of the fans were heard opposing Laporta.
"On the one hand, I want to thank the people for being with me on a personal level," Xavi said. "But I don't like it when they point to a person, whether it's the president or a player. We need unity. It's a nasty situation that I don't like."
A meeting between Xavi and Laporta is reportedly set for the end of the season, and the manager has dismissed claims that he has a bad relationship with the president.
"We have enough trust so far and a friendly relationship to talk about it [his future]," Xavi said.
"I understand the whole mess, but I haven't been informed [about being fired]. The confidence hasn't changed, I think. If it changes, we will inform you.
"I continue with the maximum ambition, absolutely nothing has changed about mine. I want to start next season with the utmost enthusiasm.
"The president has always been honest, and I'm sure he will continue to be so when we see each other."
Howe taking plenty of positives despite frustrating Newcastle campaign
Eddie Howe was keen to look at the positives after Newcastle United secured seventh place in the Premier League on Sunday.
Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes were among the goalscorers as Newcastle won 4-2 at Brentford to finish their Premier League campaign.
The victory ensured a seventh-place finish, and a Manchester City victory over Manchester United in next Saturday's FA Cup final will confirm Newcastle's place in next season's Europa Conference League.
While this season did not quite live up to the heroics of last term, which saw the Magpies finish in the Champions League spots, Howe still feels it has been a successful campaign.
"It summed up our season," Howe told BBC Sport. "We weren't totally secure at the back, but great credit to the players. They've done their job - now we wait and see.
"We anticipated after losing against Manchester United that our control of the [European] situation had gone. It's never a nice situation, but whatever happens, happens.
"We have issues to solve defensively. If we can do that, next season could be another season of really strong performances. This was a season that could have been better, but a good season overall.
"We're a really united club. I think we're still moving forward, so there's a lot to be positive about."
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