Neil Warnock has admitted one of the few regrets throughout his career was not having the opportunity to manage Bristol City.
The 73-year-old announced his retirement from management earlier this month following a 42-year career that took him to 16 different clubs, eight promotions and over 1,600 games.
Warnock enjoyed a memorable rivalry with the Robins, sparked during his time as manager of Crystal Palace when Jamie McCombe scored a 97th equaliser against his side back in February 2008.
There was also no love lost with Gary Johnson following further controversial incidents including Freddie Sears' 'ghost goal' before labelling Lee Johnson an "absolute disgrace" in response to comments made before a game between Bristol City and Warnock's Rotherham.
The rivalry with City supporters was also reignited when Warnock became Cardiff manager when he sarcastically said 'I always look forward to [playing] Bristol City. I always get such a warm welcome at Ashton Gate' before his first Severnside derby meeting.
But while Warnock enjoyed playing the pantomime villain in BS3, he admitted his disappointment at not having spent time in the dugout at the Robins.
Speaking to talkSPORT, in response to being asked the club he would have liked to have managed, he said: "There's been one or two. I turned Chelsea down which was a big thing in those days and I should have gone to Sunderland.
"Bristol City has always been one. Even though I've been up against their fans here and there deep down I respect them and that's a big miss for me.
"Sheffield Wednesday I nearly went there once and Rangers. I always wanted to go to Scotland, I once applied for the Aberdeen job but I didn't get a reply. Hearts too but they gave it to a Latvian so that wasn't much of a compliment to me."
Warnock was tenuously linked with the Bristol City job in January with a report suggesting both the Robins are Cardiff were "interested" three months after he left Middlesbrough.
He summed up his love/hate relationship with City and their supporters during his tenure with the Bluebirds when he said: "When I pass away, I don’t want clapping or a minute’s silence, I want a minute’s booing at Bristol City.”
His record against City stood at 23 matches, nine wins, nine defeats and five draws.
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