Ex-Leeds United boss’ ‘non-league’ Djed Spence comment sets up tasty Championship encounter
and live on Freeview channel 276
Spence and Warnock worked together at the Riverside Stadium but did not see eye-to-eye and the young defender was subsequently shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest and the City Ground for the 2021/22 campaign.
The Reds clinched promotion from the Championship that year with Spence playing a key role down the right flank for Steve Cooper’s side.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFollowing Forest’s play-off final victory over Huddersfield last summer, Spence posted on social networking site Twitter ‘welcoming’ his former boss Warnock to the platform, after the veteran manager had set recently set up an account.
Clutching the play-off winners’ trophy and smoking a cigar, Spence tweeted: “Oh, where's my Manners. Welcome to Twitter @warnockofficial", in what was perceived by many as a jibe towards the 74-year-old and his previous comments calling the young full-back’s work ethic into question.
Warnock – now in charge of Leeds’ Championship neighbours over at the John Smith’s Stadium – responded with a good-natured reply: “Well done Djed, I did say you were Premier League or non-league. Glad you listened and took my advice on board now go and enjoy your success. Those cigars won't do you any good though son," complete with a wink emoji.
Prior to their public exchange, Warnock had suggested Spence’s commitment at Boro could see him playing non-league football in five years, despite his abundance of talent, comments which the young right-back did not take kindly to.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSpence subsequently earned a move to Premier League Tottenham Hotspur after securing promotion with Forest, but now embarks on his second loan spell since joining the North London club last summer.
Leeds host Warnock’s Huddersfield at Elland Road on October 28, by which point Spence could have established himself as Farke’s first-choice right-back.
The 23-year-old may be denied the opportunity to face off against his old boss, however, if the Terriers’ fortunes do not improve. The Yorkshire club have drawn one and lost three of their opening four Championship games under ex-Leeds manager Warnock this season.