Neil Warnock used his Independent newspaper column to express his disappointment that he failed to collect the Championship Manager of the Season award despite winning the title.
Warnock told the Independent: “Obviously, I was a little disappointed to be the only manager winning his league not to win a divisional award. Sir Alex Ferguson was manager of the year in the Premier League, Brighton's Gus Poyet in League One and Chesterfield's John Sheridan in League Two. Paul Lambert, of Norwich, was the Championship winner.
“It's particularly disappointing because without a doubt it's been the toughest and hardest job I've done in my career. I took over a team 14 months ago that was facing relegation. I completely changed the team around in the summer, which meant it had to gel immediately. I think people look at our owners and assume we've spent billions, but we have actually been very thrifty with our money. To lead such a hard division almost every week of the season is something I'm very proud of and it is disappointing not to be recognised.
“Fortunately, my family were very supportive. When I told Sharon about it I mentioned Brian McDermott and Brendan Rodgers had also been shortlisted. Sharon said she thought I would have been fourth in that list. Amy said, "What do you expect when nobody likes you?", which I thought showed what an intelligent 13-year-old she was. At least William cheered me up. He said he's going to get me his own cup and engrave it to present to me, which I thought was super.”
Warnock also told the paper that he has been reassured of his position by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone following Amit Bhatia’s resignation last week. Bhatia, and fired CEO Ishan Saksena were key to Warnock’s appointment and seen as his boardroom allies. Warnock said: “Amit was instrumental in my joining the club last year, so I'm sad to see him go, but these things happen in football and people have to do what they feel is right. Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone are now running things and both have spoken to me to reassure me of their intentions and told me to ignore newspaper talk about my position. It's not the first club I've been manager of where there's been a bit of upheaval and I've learnt from experience to just get on with my job. For me at the moment that means using whatever resources I've got to try and improve the squad as best as I can over the next four months.”
Elsewhere Clint Hill spoke to QPR Player about his part in the club’s title winning campaign. Hill said: “I can’t put it into words, it’s been such a fantastic season from start to finish. To be in the top two all season and have the pressure of that as well where teams were going to raise their game another ten or 20 per cent because it was QPR and they’re top of the league. For the lads to respond to that and only lose six games and concede 32 goals was a massive, massive achievement.
“At the age I was, to come to QPR which is a big club, I was very surprised to come here. I was in the same boat as Dezza where the gaffer was saying ’15-20 games will be a great season for you’ so to play 44, be promoted, it’s just fantastic. To be part of what this club has achieved at such a late stage of my career – I can retire a happy man.”
Ok well as the list of players we have been linked with in the three weeks since our season ended is rapidly approaching the 40 mark let’s try and rattle through this nonsense as quickly as possible shall we? Apparently QPR will be making an attempt to bring in young Tottenham full backs Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker in on season long loans next year (The Sun), or maybe the right back slot will be filled by Palace’s wantaway player of the year Nathaniel Clyne (The People, or at the other end of the age scale Massimo Oddo (Gazetta). Then there’s Craig Mackail-Smith fresh from firing Peterborough to League One play off glory (Metro), Hull City duo Seyi Olofinjana and Jimmy Bullard (again) (Vital Football), Aston Villa striker John Carew (Metro), Watford striker Danny Graham (again), Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra (again), Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong (again), Rangers striker James Beattie and Sunderland centre back Anton Ferdinand all mentioned on Tribal Football which I shall no longer link to as it is a farcical purveyor of obviously made up rubbish.
One previous report to clear up – Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, who scored 12 times in France this season, has signed a new contract with the club and will therefore presumably not be moving to Loftus Road.
Scott Sinclair was the Swansea hero as his hat trick helped them to a 4-2 victory against Reading at Wembley in the Championship play off final on Monday. Swansea were 3-0 up at half time thanks to two goals from Sinclair and another from Stephen Dobbie. Reading, who were lucky not to have Zurab Khizanishvilli sent off when he conceded a penalty having already been booked, seemed to be in disarray and had substitute Jay Tabb sent off at half time for abusing referee Phil Dowd. Nevertheless they brought the game back to 3-2 and it needed a third goal from former QPR loanee Sinclair to seal the 4-2 victory.
Sinclair, who played for more clubs on loan (six) than he made first team appearances (five) during his time with Chelsea, praised the impact of manager Brendan Rodgers after scoring his twenty fifth, sixth and seventh goals of the season. He said: “He's been exceptional. I can't speak highly enough of him. He brought me in and gave me confidence. I've been playing every week and he's been the man who has put all the confidence in the team."
Sinclair’s former team mate at both QPR and Chelsea reserves Michael Mancienne is looking to follow in his friend’s footsteps by seeking a permanent move for regular first team football elsewhere. Sinclair went to South Wales, Mancienne is heading to Germany. Hamburg, who recently appointed Frank Arneson as sporting director after his dismissal from a similar role at Chelsea, have agreed a fee of £3m with Chelsea for Mancienne who spent the last two seasons on loan with Wolves after two years on loan at Loftus Road. Mancienne was in Germany for a medical today. He will sign a four year deal with Hamburg, who finished eighth in Germany’s top flight this season.
For the final time ever, before Premiership Shorts starts in the next LFW diary. Farewell Championship, it’s been emotional.
- Swansea say they will not be raising season ticket prices, or changing their style of play after their weekend play off final success against Reading. The Swans will go on an open top bus parade and enjoy a civic reception in the city this evening.
- Cardiff are drawing up a managerial shortlist after bringing the curtain down on Dave Jones’ six year spell at the club at the weekend. Forest’s Billy Davies, former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and, unbelievably, Man City striker Craig Bellamy, who spent last season on loan at Cardiff, are the early favourites. CEO Gethin Jenkins admitted the club’s financial position may put off high profile candidates such as Martin O’Neill. He said: “Martin O'Neill would be on the list of any club. Whether his financial requirements and ours are the same, we'll have to wait and see.”
- Nathan Tyson has rejected a new contract offer from Forest and now looks set to leave on a free transfer with local rivals Derby keen to sign him. Tyson sparked a mass brawl at the end of a Forest v Derby match last season when he taunted the Rams fans by waving a corner flag at them after the final whistle.
- Barnsley look set to name their first choice Keith Hill as manager after all, after the Rochdale gaffer performed a u-turn. Hill turned down Barnsley’s advances last week to stay with dale who he led to promotion from League Two and a ninth placed finish in League One. Barnsley were subsequently frustrated in their efforts to get Russell Slade from Leyton Orient but Hill has now decided to move to Oakwell after all.
- Bristol City have had a bid accepted by cash strapped Plymouth for defender Yannick Bolasie.
- Goalkeeper John Sullivan has left Millwall and signed for Charlton on a free transfer.