To the chagrin of many football fans, Neil Warnock may become a regular feature of the Premier League next season. Having taken over Cardiff City in 2016, Warnock's side sit 3rd in the Championship; two points off second-placed Derby County.
Tasked with eliminating Manchester City from this year's FA Cup, the irascible manager of 16 previous clubs has been back in the media spotlight last week.
Now 70-years of age, the man often affectionately (or otherwise) known by an unfortunate anagram of his name, 'Colin Wanker', was speaking to the Daily Mail:
Cyrille Regis dies, Jimmy Armfield dies ... people all around me from my era are dying or dead. You start to think about that. I've started to think even more about how I want to give as much enjoyment as I can to the supporters and the people who love the game while I'm still here.
Enjoyment (or outright fury), generated through whatever means, is something Warnock guarantees. Yet, as he approaches the tail-end of a remarkably resilient managerial career, the former Sheffield United boss is becoming, almost unbelievably, quite likeable.
Were they to beat Pep Guardiola's insatiable Manchester City, it would signal a late triumph in his accomplished career. One underdog that came unexpectedly close recently was Cardiff's fellow Championship side, Bristol City - not that this sits well with Warnock:
Bristol City are the enemy down here, and there is a lot going on when the two sides play each other. We're both doing well, so the rivalry's even bigger.
Embracing his pantomime image, Warnock's awareness of the end had him in an excitable mood:
I joke with their fans that, when I do pass away, I hope they all have a minute's applause for me at Ashton Gate and remember the good times I've given them.
I don't want silence. I want them all to be chanting "Warnock's a wanker" over and over again. For a whole minute. That would be my ideal. They'll all smile because they'd all know that would mean a lot to me. As daft as it sounds. It matters because it would mean I've stirred emotions. I've helped people love football.
Love him or hate him, Cardiff City may just become a few fans' second-team this season, just if it means one more season of Warnock at the top-table if nothing else.
