x

Warnock walks as fans turn nasty....it's all over when the Gelderd End sings!

Neil Warnock finally bowed to the boo-boys who predictably were out in force following a dismal 2-1 defeat at home to Derby.

Despite Leeds taking a 66th minute lead when Ross McCormack smashed home a sensational opener, the murmurings of discontent began to grumble around Elland Road when Derby were awarded a controversial penalty on 72 minutes which Conor Sammon planted onto the post but Paul Coutts tucked home the rebound.

There was also some contention about Derby's 87th minute winner when Jason Pearce appeared to be fouled in the build up which saw Jake Buxton head home at the near post.

Although referee Roger East took some stick, most of the abuse was reserved for the 64-year-old. "Warnock time to go" was the loudest chant along with "You Sheffield bastard get out of our club" and other ditties urging the Leeds boss to fall on his sword and take early retirement in Devon.

"You've done **** all for us" chanted the bitter Kop, a reference to Warnock's claim that the club is in a better state than when he arrived. The stats appear to tell a different story to the great mans propaganda with him recording a miserable 36.5% win rate.

Warnock appeared to wave sarcastically at his detractors as he left the pitch with jeers raining on his shoulders. Predictably Yorkshire Radio was dominated by callers for his head, a couple were more sympathetic blaming the malaise regarding the takeover and ownership of the club. At around 19:58 after initially saying that the Leeds boss would not be giving his post match radio interview, Yorkshire Radio then went live to Warnock in the tunnel but if like me you were listening on Minster FM then the interview was cut short. Warnock did appear to suggest it would be a good time for a caretaker manager to come in. Around 45 minutes later, Radio Five Live reported that Warnock had told Radio Leeds that it would be "unlikely" he would be in charge for Saturday's trip to Charlton. Ten minutes later, Five Live confirmed Warnock and Leeds had parted company. The club released a statement on LUFC.com "Leeds United have parted company with Neil Warnock with six games of the season to go. "The decision has been taken with a view to preparing for the 2013/14 season and Neil Redfearn will be asked to take control of first team coaching until a permanent appointment is made. This may well be after the end of the season dependent on the availability of the club's preferred choice to become the next manager. "A short-list has already been prepared as Neil was always going to leave at the end of the season in the event that we did not get promotion. However, with availability of suitable candidates changing all the time then we will adopt a flexible approach, so as to ensure that we make the right appointment." Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: "We would like to thank Neil for his efforts during his time as our manager and share his disappointment that we could not achieve promotion this season. "We now need to look to the future and the search for his replacement is underway, for which there is no fixed timescale as securing the services of the right person is the primary objective, so as to give us the best chance of promotion next season. "We would also like to thank Mick Jones and Ronnie Jepson, who will leave the club with Neil, for all their hard work since coming to the club." Like many fans, I felt Warnock's hands were tied because of all the off field nonsense and backed him post-Barnsley when the fans started to turn on him but today was the final straw. I'd become sick of his "blame game" statements, particularly his attack on Tom Lees following the Ipswich defeat and felt he would not have spoken publically about one of his own signings, for example Luke Varney's Red at Millwall. His comments regarding his own future seemed to be inviting the owners to sack him. So now we are back to where we were fourteen months ago with Neil Redfearn in charge!

What to read next:

Leeds United announce exciting plans to expand Elland Road
The 49ers have been promising to redevelop our beloved stadium ever since they started to invest in the club, and today they have finally published some further details of what it’s all going to involve.
Leeds get back on track against woeful Cardiff
After last week’s defeat, Daniel Farke must have been thankful that the fixture list gave us the division’s bottom team as our next opponents. But although we got the win we needed, it was against a desperately poor Cardiff City who had to play with ten men for over an hour, and somehow it felt strangely unconvincing.
Cardiff Awaydaze
This season’s visit to Cardiff City is on Saturday with a 3pm kick-off, and you’ll find their current stadium to the west of the city centre, only a quarter of a mile from their former home at Ninian Park.
Leeds suffer frustrating defeat at the hands of Burnley
Once again Leeds dominated the possession but couldn’t find their way past a determined and well-organised defence. So it was Burnley who took the points after taking advantage of one of the few occasions when they were able to break downfield.
Leeds pay tribute to former captain Sol Bamba
Sol Bamba passed away on Saturday at the tragically early age of 39. The tribute on the club’s official website was one of many, as the football world paid it’s respects to a defender who was highly regarded by everyone in the game who came into contact with him.
Patient Leeds overcome Hull with strong second half performance
At half-time this game was well and truly in the balance, and Hull City had enjoyed some moments in the first half. But once Leeds had opened the scoring in the second they had no response, and it was comfortable for Leeds in the end.
Leeds get one deal over the line as Tanaka arrives at Elland Road
The club’s official website announced the signing of Japanese international Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf today, though it remains to be seen whether we will land any more of our targets before the 11pm deadline.
Patience Pays off as Solomon signs for Leeds
As Manor Solomon joined us on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, the club were quick to justify their approach to the transfer market when they announced the news on the official website.
Farke hails the best performance of the season as we beat Wednesday
Leeds dominated the game from the start against a hapless Sheffield Wednesday, and at last there were signs of things starting to come together after a difficult start.
Sheffield Wednesday Awaydaze
This season’s visit to Sheffield Wednesday is at 8pm on Friday and once again this fixture is live on Sky Sports. We’re not famous any more! The only surprise is that the police allowed an evening kick-off instead of insisting on Saturday lunchtime.