Neil Warnock makes surprise return to management at 77 years old
Neil Warnock is set to make a surprise return to management - nearly two years on from his last role in professional football.
The 77-year-old, who has won a record-setting eight promotions from the Championship, briefly took charge of Scottish club Aberdeen on an interim basis in 2024 before announcing his retirement.
He has now taken over as caretaker manager of National League South side Torquay United after the club announced the sacking of Paul Wotton on Sunday afternoon.
A club statement reads: "Torquay United Football Club can confirm that it has today parted company with First-Team Manager Paul Wotton.
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"We are very grateful to Paul for his hard work, professionalism and commitment during his time at the club. We thank Paul for his contribution, both on and off the pitch. Torquay United wish Paul every success in his future endeavours.
"Neil Warnock will take the team for Tuesday night's fixture with Farnborough and an update on interim arrangements will be communicated in due course."
Torquay sit in fourth place in the National League South, but have had a horror run of results in their last five matches.
On Saturday, they were thrashed 5-0 at home by Chelmsford City, who sit in ninth place in the division.
Dorking Wanderers, who occupy the only automatic promotion place, are now 10 points ahead of the The Gulls.
Warnock has been installed as the caretaker manager while Torquay search for a full-time successor, with the former Cardiff and Sheffield United boss having been working as an advisor to the club's board since May 2024.
Warnock is replacing his own former player in the role, having been in charge of Plymouth Argyle between 1995 and 1997 when Wotton was at the club.
He had announced his retirement from football management a month earlier after then-Championship side Plymouth turned down the opportunity to appoint him.
Warnock last managed in the Premier League in the 2018/19 season, after guiding Cardiff to promotion.
He also spent time in charge of Crystal Palace while they were in the top flight, having previously been in charge of Sheffield United during their ultimately successful attempt to stay in the Premier League during the 2006/07 season.
The Blades were relegated on the last day of the season on goal difference after Carlos Tevez's goal secured a 1-0 win for relegation rivals West Ham over Manchester United.
A month earlier, the Hammers had pleaded guilty to breaching the Premier League's third-party ownership rules over the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, and were given a £5.5 million fine.
Following their relegation, Sheffield United filed legal action over West Ham's avoidance of a points deduction, which would have seen them relegated instead had it been applied.
An independent arbitration hearing heard in favour of Sheffield United in their compensation claim, and the two clubs reached an out-of-court settlement worth around £20 million in 2009.
Topics: Neil Warnock, Football
Ryan Smart