Neil Warnock has hinted that he would be open to a return to management at Portsmouth, amid reports linking him with a return to Cardiff City.
The former Leeds United boss announced his retirement from management after 42 years in the dugout in April 2022. However, Warnock has seemingly got the itch to return once again, and has eyed Fratton Park as a possible short-term option.
Danny Cowley was relieved of his duties after Portsmouth extended their winless run to nine league games with a 3-1 home loss at the hands of Charlton Athletic on New Year's Day.
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That fatal defeat leaves Portsmouth nine points adrift of the League One play-offs, despite having sat second in the table at the beginning of October. The Mail claim that Cardiff could tempt Warnock out of retirement following Mark Hudson's struggles in the Welsh capital.
But it appears the 74-year-old, who guided Cardiff to the Premier League during his three years at the club, is open to a short-term appointment rather than anything long-term.
‘It’s a fabulous club," Warnock told Portsmouth News. "When I was a visiting manager, I used to get up and shout instructions and the fans behind drowned me out. I couldn’t shout a flipping thing!
"There are a couple of clubs I wish I had the chance to manage and that was one of them. I’ve always got on well with the fans there. I don’t know about the job there at the minute, you would have to see if they have already got things sorted out.
"Sometimes I think a short-term appointment at clubs enables them to just take their time and get the right man in place. That’s the only thing for me. I couldn’t do it for 2-3 years anyhow, but it depends if they are in a rush and they want to bring somebody in straight away.
"You never know, do you, but I’ve not had any contact with anybody. I’ve had offers [from other clubs] over the last few months, but didn’t want to do anything over Christmas anyhow. I thought I would see what crops up and if there’s anything interesting."
Former Wigan Athletic manager Leam Richardson is currently the bookmakers' leading favourite to replace Danny Cowley in the dugout. Liam Manning, who was sacked by MK Dons last month, and Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke are also among the contenders.
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