Neil Warnock makes big Leeds United admission with prediction of Whites fans and play-off final
and live on Freeview channel 276
Ex-Whites boss Neil Warnock has served up big Leeds United praise and given his own take on how the play-off final against Southampton will go.
Experienced boss Warnock spent just over a year in charge of Leeds between February 2012 and April 2013 in the years following United’s return to the Championship from League One.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA decade later, Leeds are now just one game away from an immediate return to the Premier League following last season’s top-flight relegation, Daniel Farke’s Whites set to face Southampton in next Sunday’s Wembley play-off final.
Russell Martin’s Saints side booked their place in the final with a 3-1 win at home to West Brom in Friday night’s semi-final second leg, for which Warnock formed part of the night coverage on Sky Sports.
Assessing Leeds and the play-off final, Warnock admitted the Whites were the biggest club he had managed and said United’s fans would sell any amount of tickets for the final.
Warnock can envisage a record crowd - but is tactfully sitting on the fence when it comes to predicting who will go up. Warnock declared: “I think the two best teams have gone through and I am pleased about that.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"I remember at Notts County we finished 16 points in front of Bolton Wanderers and they went in front 1-0 in the second leg and I am stood there thinking ‘this is wrong’ this but we managed to get through in the second leg and that's the play-offs.
"It's a fantastic thing the play-offs, I can't believe how good it is for the game. Russell (Martin) will be planning ahead now and it will be a cracker, the fans, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a record crowd me because I would imagine Leeds will sell as many as they can get really. I managed them, the biggest club I ever managed Leeds so I'm looking forward to it, it will be a good game.”
Warnock was then asked how he saw the final going and mused: “I used to manage Leeds and I have been here watching supporters at Southampton so I'll say a draw and anybody on penalties!
"There's no way I am going to commit myself. Can you imagine me saying Southampton and Leeds fans if I go to the game. No way, you won't get me saying that."
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.