'I knew then I hadn't got the job.' How Neil Warnock almost took charge of Norwich City as Middlesbrough boss highlights Teemu Pukki threat

Warnock’s Boro will come up against the Canaries, now managed by Daniel Farke, this weekend, with both sides competing at the top end of the Championship.

“We're looking forward to this,” said Warnock ahead of the match. “They've always been a good side with Daniel. I like him, he's a good manager and it's a lovely club.

“I nearly went there once. I was in the last two. They gave it to Bruce Rioch at the time, it was a while ago.

“I remember filling a big form in, they wanted 40 questions before you got your interview.

“I sat round a table with ten people with Delia (Smith) and the club doctor. They said, 'well Mr Warnock, do you think our fans will like your style of football? I said, 'yeah, I think they'd love to win games' I knew then I hadn't got the job."

Norwich are three points ahead of Boro in the Championship table and are many people’s favourites to win promotion back to the Premier League.

Warnock has been impressed with how the club has been run over the last few years and is ready for a tough test this weekend.

“It's always been a club that supported the manager,” added Warnock when discussing Norwich’s success. “The managers that succeed there are the ones that look after the board, they've got a happy medium.

“I don't think there's any surprise in what Norwich are doing, they play the same way no matter what division they're in.”

"We expected the three relegated teams to be there. We're the surprise, but we're enjoying it and we're looking forward to pitting our wits against the team Ronnie Jepon said is the best he's seen.”

Warnock also identified Norwich striker Teemu Pukki as a primary threat, with former Boro man Jordan Hugill also an option up front for the Canaries.

"You look at the strikers that Norwich have got, if they get our chances they would score a lot more goals than what we have,” said Warnock

"We’ve had some very good chances and haven’t put them away whereas the Pukki’s of this world put them away without thinking.”

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Middlesbrough coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor