Has Warnock managed Leeds United for last time?

After seeing the Whites’ play-off hopes effectively dashed by a third straight defeat when they lost 2-1 to bogey side Derby County, Warnock stopped short of announcing his resignation, but suggested that the club should appoint an interim manager immediately.

The Leeds boss was reacting after hearing chants of “Warnock, time to go” again from large sections of the Elland Road crowd and said it was probably in the club’s best interest to have a change in manager for the rest of the season, suggesting development squad manager Neil Redfearn and technical director Gwyn Williams to be put in temporary charge.

Warnock said: “We are not going to get into the play-offs now so it is a good time to put somebody else in charge until the end of the season.

“I don’t think they should rush into a permanent appointment because there are no outstanding candidates at the moment, but there will be in the summer.

“I have been a manager for 33 years and this last 12 months have been the hardest. I have given it my best shot but being honest we haven’t been good enough in the final third of the pitch.

“I have not resigned at this moment but I am speaking to the owners and I think a statement will be made in due course.

“It would appease the fans if I go now and I will recommend putting Neil Redfearn and Gwyn Williams in temporary charge until the end of the season.

“If the owners asked me to stay on for the remaining games I would but I don’t think it will come to that and it wouldn’t appease the fans.”