Warnock admits he missed the 'dressing room banter' during retirement

New Aberdeen boss Neil Warnock has admitted he is “weaning off” from football – but revealed he has missed the dressing room banter more than ever.

Ahead of his side facing Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday, the 75-year-old has been discussing his return to football in the Pittodrie dug out.

While Warnock – who holds the record for the most games managed in English league football with a total of 1,626 – has admitted he hasn’t missed football “altogether” but has missed the “dressing room banter” and improving players.

He said: “When I’m at home and I’m fishing and doing little things and going on holidays and things, I don’t miss it altogether, but I do miss the dressing room banter and trying to improve players.

“I’ve always enjoyed proving, as you know, certain players can do better.

“So I think it’s the dressing room banter that I miss more than ever. I don’t miss hotels and air conditioning and motorways, you know. That’s why I couldn’t do it long term now, because I don’t enjoy that bit.

“So it’s you know, I think I’m gradually weaning off. It’s just taking a lot longer than I thought it would do.”

Warnock took interim charge of the Dons on February 5 following the sacking of Barry Robson.

His first game was a 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, before he oversaw his Pittodrie bow with a with a 2-0 victory over Bonnyrigg Rose in the Scottish Cup.

Warnock will now be wanting to add another victory in his first home league game against Motherwell on Wednesday night insisting there is “no better than feeling”.

He added: “I still get a kick out of the games and trying to get that whistle to go when you’ve got to victory, are you with me?

“I don’t think there’s any better feeling than that.”