Neil Warnock has hailed Bruno Guimaraes for his match-winning performance against Wolves and labelled Newcastle United fans as ‘nutters’ for their passion from the terraces. The veteran manager called time on a 55-year career in professional football when he announced his retirement on Saturday.
His last stint in management was at Middlesbrough - a post he left in November - but he has previous links to the North East, having played for Hartlepool in the 1970s. Warnock boasts the impressive record of achieving the most promotions in English football and holds fond memories of his first visit to St James’ Park while playing against the reserves for Chesterfield over half a century ago.
The 73-year-old only claimed one victory in 14 outings as a manager against the Magpies - a 1-0 win on Tyneside as Sheffield United boss in 2006. He recollected his first visit to the Soccer Saturday panel while singling out Guimaraes for praise after his impressive display on Friday.
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“That lad (Bruno Guimaraes) was head and shoulders above anybody else on the pitch,” Warnock said. “When that place is rocking, I mean, the place was rocking 15 minutes after the game, let alone during the game.
“I was in the central league at Chesterfield as a 19-year-old. I went up to Newcastle and we were playing the reserves. About ten minutes before we got there, Dave Blakey said ‘you wouldn’t have seen anything like this, so don’t get panicked’. I said ‘what do you mean, it’s a central league game’. He said ‘don’t worry, watch’.
“We turn around the corner to St James’ Park. 14,500 thousand for a reserve game against Chesterfield. Nutters aren’t they?! They are brilliant. Absolutely brilliant, aren’t they?!”
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