Neil Warnock reveals he was 'very close' to taking the Sunderland job before finally ending up in the North East at Middlesbrough

Neil Warnock took charge of Middlesbrough in June.

Warnock was offered the manager’s position on Wearside while he was in charge of Notts County, but delayed his decision due to Sunderland’s FA Cup involvement.

The Black Cats exceeded expectations that year by reaching the final of the 1991/92 competition, before losing 2-0 to Liverpool at Wembley.

Warnock, 71, has finally taken a permanent job in the North East 28 years later following his appointment at Middlesbrough in June.

After avoiding relegation from the Championship, the straight-talking Yorkshireman has agreed to stay at the Riverside for the 2020/21 season and saying he’s enjoying life in the area.

When asked if there would have been a gap in his CV if he hadn’t been a permanent North East manager, Warnock opened up on his Sunderland decision.

“I was very close, I should have taken Sunderland really. When Bob Murray was there I agreed to take over, I like Bob Murray,” said Warnock.

“I played with Malcom Crosby at Aldershot and he was a lovely lad, and they wanted me to take over straight away, they were in the FA Cup and I said ‘can we wait until they get knocked out of the cup’ and the rest is history.

“I was in Spain when they played the final, I thought well that’s another job gone,” he laughed.

“That’s as close as I got, Mick Jones my right-hand man was a mad Sunderland fan and he used to go on about the North East.“

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