Warnock appointed by Cardiff to perform rescue act

Cardiff City have appointed Neil Warnock as their new manager 24 hours after dismissing Paul Trollope.

The Bluebirds are languishing in the Championship relegation zone following a run of six defeats in seven matches to earn the former Bristol Rovers manager the chop.

City owner Vincent Tan has turned immediately to Warnock to reverse the club’s slump in form, as he did with Rotherham United last season, and will be joined by Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson in the Blues dugout.

Upon announcing the appointment of Warnock, 67, a club statement also confirmed coach James Rowberry, goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson and head of fitness Lee Southernwood would be saved from Tan’s shake-up.

In his recent stint at relegation-threatened Rotherham, Warnock took the Millers from 22nd and three points off survival to a guaranteed third season in the Championship since winning the League One Play-off final in 2014.

Warnock declined the chance to extend his short-term contract into a more substantial commitment when holding several discussions towards the end of last season with a Rotherham board eager to keep their man.

Citing his reasons for leaving vaguely, Warnock said: “I did feel the club needs somebody to commit themselves now to actually take it forward,”

“Ten years ago, I think I would have signed a three or four-year contract with the chairman because I trust him that much.

“With one or two key signings Rotherham have the nucleus to take the club and try and be in a comfortable position.

“I have that one season left in me and I felt at the end, I would have been staying at Rotherham for the wrong reasons.”

Cardiff become the 16th club the 67-year-old has managed in a career that started at Gainsborough Trinity in 1981.

Warnock is expected to be in the dugout ready for the visit of Bristol City on Friday night, with the Bluebirds fans offering a warm welcome to an ‘experienced’ man-manager.

At last some common sense from City. Finally a manager to tell Tan how it is #nomoreyesmen #CardiffCity #Bluebirds

— Stefan Griffiths (@stefbluebird) October 5, 2016

Good appointment in Neil Warnock, hopefully he will help stop this embarrassment and push up the league #CardiffCity #bluebirds

— Brandon (@thelegitbrend) October 5, 2016

#CityAsOne welcome to #CardiffCity , Neil Warnock . and well done Vincent Tan .
Onwards and upwards .

— Wyn Howell's (@wynford8) October 5, 2016