Neil Warnock has backed Martin O'Neill to remain as Celtic manager, insisting the fire still burns within him and his reputation will never be tarnished. Writing exclusively for Record Sport, Warnock made the opposite case to Hugh Keevins, who reckons it is time for O'Neill to go.
Warnock said one truth about growing older is that the blows are that bit more difficult to shake off, and disappointments linger a bit longer. Another truth, he said, is that individuals who have had longevity in football management possess a special strength of character, which is why he knows O'Neill will be alright today, tomorrow and for a while yet as Celtic boss.
Difficult week for O'Neill
Warnock acknowledged that O'Neill has taken a few bumps, noting that being four goals ahead against LASK in Europe and still going out of the Champions League was as sore as it gets, and he felt sorry for him. He did not feel so sorry for him for losing back-to-back Old Firm games, as most people know where his allegiances lie.
Warnock watched O'Neill's post-match press conference after last Sunday's Parkhead defeat to Rangers, when he made his remark about having a think about things. It has been jumped on by some as a sign he has had enough, but Warnock said O'Neill spoke in the moment and from the heart, and he knows how he must have felt as he would have been the same. He has just had one of the worst weeks he has ever had, and it is hard to get over that.
Reputation and fire remain
Warnock wants O'Neill to do what O'Neill wants to do, and if he wants to stay then he should stay. His reputation will never be tarnished whatever happens, and his record and commitment to Celtic have been fantastic, so Warnock thinks he will want to stay. That fire to achieve more success still burns within him, he is just that type.
Warnock questioned whether it is such a desperate situation for him, pointing out that Celtic were top of the league, but Scottish football is nuts. He thought the criticism was bad in Old Firm, but it is 10 times worse at the Old Firm. It is special but mental.
Support and adaptation
Warnock could relate to much of what O'Neill said, as you do have moments when you feel tired and question yourself as you get older, but he will be fine. It will only have taken between 24 and 48 hours for him to shake things off, and it is good to see Celtic releasing a board statement supporting him.
Warnock recalled his first battle with O'Neill when he was with Wycombe Wanderers and Warnock was at Huddersfield Town. He has no doubt O'Neill will be able to cast his mind back 32 years ago and remember those days as though they were yesterday. He is still the same guy, he has not changed.
O'Neill will still be managing the same way, as you do not change the way you are as a manager. You have to adapt and he has done that. He brought in sports science, nutritionists and every kind of Tom, Dick and Harry. Warnock noted that as you get older you have to delegate more, get good staff and trust them, and he believes O'Neill has that.
Man management and age
Celtic have good people in their backroom staff, but O'Neill is all about man management, and Warnock has always said that is 90 to 95 per cent of what management is all about. You can have all of the qualifications, data, nutritionists and the rest, but motivational ability is what it is all about. O'Neill is still a bit old school, and that is a quality in Warnock's opinion.
Warnock would bet O'Neill is always talking to the backroom staff, the people who work in the offices, the security, the kitmen and the rest. He will be trying to keep all of them upbeat and onboard, making all of them feel important, not just the players. That means when things do go wrong, there are a lot more people helping to get things back on line.
Warnock remembered speaking to Frank Lampard earlier this season when Coventry were losing games and told him that whether it is three, four or five, you still need to be positive. He was so glad they won last week, and it is about getting the players back up and going again, and O'Neill is a specialist at that. That is management in a nutshell, not just man-management for players but man-management for yourself.
There is a perception within football that age is a factor in management and the older you get, the less equipped you are for the job. There are that many qualifications you need to collect now that it is seen as a young man's job. Warnock is friends with Pep Guardiola, the best he has ever known, but he knows what is involved in coaching these days, as there is a staff member for everything now. Guardiola told Warnock that it does not matter what age you are or what you have achieved, there will always be people out there desperate to criticise you.
O'Neill also knows what comes with the territory, but if you are still physically able and have your full faculties, then age should not be an issue.
