Warnock steps down as Aberdeen manager after win

Neil Warnock has stepped down as Aberdeen manager less than an hour after guiding the club to the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

The 75-year-old was appointed just last month after the sacking of Barry Robson and has gone on to win two of his eight games – both of which came in the cup.

Warnock is the fifth boss to depart Pittodrie in the last three years.

The former Sheffield United manager, who exits with assistant Ronnie Jepson, failed to win any of his six league games, meaning he leaves Aberdeen 10th in the Scottish Premiership table.

“With the search for a new manager at an advanced stage, Peter Leven will assume control of all first team matters until the process is concluded,” Cormack said in an Aberdeen statement.

Following their quarter-final victory over Kilmarnock, Warnock told BBC Scotland that the decision was mutual between himself and the board.

In the club’s statement, he adds: “I was honoured to lead Aberdeen for a short period to help Dave [Cormack] and the board get themselves into a position where they could get closer to making a permanent appointment.

“It goes without saying that I had hoped I could’ve collected a few more league wins along the way, but I am also delighted to have helped the club into the Scottish Cup semi-finals. I hope they can now go on and lift the trophy.

“Ronnie [Jepson] and I can’t thank the fans enough for their support while we’ve been here and we wish the club and the supporters all the very best for the remainder of the season and for the future.”

‘Steady hand leaves ship in choppy waters”

BBC Sport Scotland’s Tyrone Smith at Pittodrie

Warnock swept in at the start of last month – a box office big name brought in to steady the ship. Instead of doing that, he has been unable to prevent it from heading towards choppy waters.

From this side of the fence, it was a good appointment. Warnock delivered fantastic headlines for my colleagues and I.

Prior to his arrival, I had built up my own idea of what he would be like to deal, with having seen and heard so much from him over the course of his lengthy career.

I was wrong. He was charming, witty, really down to earth, and really straight to the point – perhaps too much so for the players’ liking.

He was forthright in his views, and during his short time in the Granite City, he certainly didn’t hold back in his assessment of the squad he had taken on, and particularly the deficiencies he felt there were within it.

For all of that, it is a results business. Yes, he leaves having guided Aberdeen in to a cup semi final, but his overall body of work in the north east doesn’t make great viewing.

He departs without a league win to his name and with the team seemingly set for a relegation battle between now and the end of the season.

‘It’s a shambles, a terrible look’ – analysis

Former Aberdeen captain & manager Willie Miller: “It’s hard to believe that this is happening. It’s a nightmare situation. You appoint a manager for a short period of time and he’s walked away from the job.

“The performances have been poor but they have been improving. You’re into the semi-finals, so I just wonder what has gone on.”

Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart: “It’s a shambles. If he’s been punted, what does that say about the guys that put him in interim charge until the end of the season that they’ve already had enough of him?

“They have already gotten rid of three managers since Derek McInnes left and now they have got rid of an interim.

“It’s a terrible look for Aberdeen. This will cast even more doubt over people who wanted the job. It will plant serious doubts in their mind.”

What are the fans saying about Warnock’s departure?

Barry: Instead of celebrating a cup win and heading off to Hampden, we have become the laughing stock of not only Scottish football but British football.

Stephen: The timing couldn’t be worse. Looked like he found a good balance today, played well in large spells too, then this happens. I fear something bad is going on behind the scenes, I just hope we can survive relegation.

Calum: Fifth manager in three years, Cormack has to start taking responsibility. A shambles and an embarrassment. You have to wonder what Derek McInnes would have done with the backing afforded to Stephen Glass and Barry Robson.

Mattie: I’m glad he’s out of the club, we have important games coming up. We deserve someone that is fully committed and the pressure is now back to the Aberdeen board to make sure the next appointment is a good choice.

Jamie: Bizarre timing, which makes you assume a new man has already signed on. Hope it isn’t Lennon.

Sandy: Derek McInnes is in the building. Lock the doors and don’t let him leave.

Derek: The whole thing has been a complete waste of time. Warnock didn’t have a clue and seemed to treat the job as one big joke. Just like the board, a complete joke.

Denise: I think Neil Warnock overestimated the job at hand here. The fans weren’t happy, and he quickly learned that his options to bring in quality players wasn’t getting the traction he needed, hence his decision to leave.

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