MX23RW : Saturday, April 26 20:52:39| >> :60:567:567:

Neil Warnock salutes illustrious predecessor Jack Charlton

Neil Warnock salutes illustrious predecessor Jack Charlton
© Reuters
The two men shared an interest in angling as well as football.

Current Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has saluted illustrious predecessor Jack Charlton following his death at the age of 85.

Charlton guided the club to promotion to the old first division in 1974 after hanging up his boots as a player and is still fondly remembered on Teesside for the job he did before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle and famously, the Republic of Ireland.

Warnock, who was parachuted into the Riverside Stadium last month following Jonathan Woodgate's departure, has just three games in which to preserve Boro's Sky Bet Championship status, but the 71-year-old is well aware of the job the World Cup winner did for the club.

Jack Charlton won the FA Cup as a player with Leeds in 1972
Jack Charlton won the FA Cup as a player with Leeds in 1972 (PA)

He said: "The job he did, not just at Middlesbrough here, which was unbelievable, but the Irish job was fantastic.

"He just showed people what you can achieve with team spirit and a good group of players, and it doesn't come easily, that.

"You might think it's quite easy as a manager to run that, but it isn't and all credit to him. He never shirked a challenge and was always a smashing chap to talk to – and a hell of a player.

"I remember him on the six-yard box being the first to those corners that were whipped in. He was like a bloody giraffe on that six-yard box and a lot of people have taken that on board."

He was one of those guys who knew what he wanted, wasn't bothered about anything else and just got on with his life

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock

Charlton and Warnock crossed paths repeatedly over the years and the younger man enjoyed the company of a kindred spirit whose approach to management, and outdoor lifestyle away from the game, he admired.

He said with a smile: "'Young man', he used to call me. Young man – I thought that was quite good, that.

"He was one of those guys who knew what he wanted, wasn't bothered about anything else and just got on with his life.

"I understand why he loved fishing because that's what I do. I love fishing. [Long-term assistant] Kevin Blackwell can't understand why you wait hours to catch a fish and put it back, but it's a therapy that you need as a manager to clear your head."

Boro held a moment's applause for Charlton before Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Bristol City, during which the players wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

Warnock said: "As I was clapping, I was thinking, 'I'm not sure they'll be clapping on mine!'. But it was great to see. He was a fabulous person and [has] a lovely family as well."

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Ireland has revealed a virtual book of condolence in memory of Charlton was signed by in excess of 12,000 people from around the world in its first 24 hours.

ID:406382: cacheID:406382:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6259:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Charlton boss Lee Bowyer on June 20, 2020
Read Next:
Lee Bowyer fumes at referee as Charlton lose at Reading
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Burnley452716266155197
2Leeds UnitedLeeds442713489296094
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd452871062352789
4Sunderland4521131158431576
5Bristol City441716115749867
6Coventry CityCoventry45199176258466
7Millwall451812154646066
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn45198185247565
9Middlesbrough4518101764541064
10West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom451419125244861
11Swansea CitySwansea45179194853-560
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds451512185968-957
13Watford45168215260-856
14Norwich CityNorwich451315176766154
15Queens Park RangersQPR451314185263-1153
16Portsmouth451411205770-1353
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd451313194662-1652
18Stoke CityStoke451214194562-1750
19Derby CountyDerby451310224856-849
20Preston North EndPreston451019164657-1149
21Luton TownLuton451310224264-2249
22Hull City451212214353-1048
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth451113215086-3646
24Cardiff CityCardiff45917194669-2344


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!