Inside Neil Warnock's first Middlesbrough press conference as former Sheffield United and Leeds boss discusses new challenge

Neil Warnock took charge of training after being named Middlesbrough's new boss on Tuesday.

The 71-year-old admitted he thought he was ready for retirement after leaving Cardiff City back in November, yet the chance to work with respected chairman Steve Gibson was simply too good to turn down.

Warnock got the call from Gibson late on Monday evening to ask if he would take on the task, an opportunity he quickly jumped at despite a six and a half hour drive to the North East.

“I've always liked him and the club itself,” said Warnock via a video link on Zoom. “I enjoy playing against them, I don't think I've lost against them.

“I'd more or less retired in my mind, but I thought what an opportunity, eight games without anyone booing me,” he chuckled.

Warnock is under no illusions about the task at hand, though. Boro are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by Swansea. Relegation would be a disaster.

That’s why Warnock has been brought in straight away, and the new boss was out on the training pitches on Tuesday afternoon, preparing his new players for this weekend’s trip to Stoke.

“We're down there for a reason, you can't pull any punches,” Warnock added. “Big clubs have gone down before so it's a really precarious position. We've got eight games, some cracking games.

“First session today and I'm really pleased with how that's gone. That's why I'm still in, I love the challenge.

Warnock has initially agreed to join Boro until the end of the season but doesn’t know what the future holds beyond that.

When asked if there will be an opportunity to stay in the summer, Warnock replied: “When you get to my age you don't worry about what will happen in a few months, especially at a time like this.

“When I spoke to the players before training I still got shivers down my back. It's stressful at times but I want to enjoy it and want the players to enjoy it.”

Warnock will be joined at Boro by his trusted assistants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson, while Boro coaches Leo Percovich and Danny Coyne will remain at the club.

It’s also unclear what will happen to Warnock’s predecessor Jonathan Woodgate, with negotiations taking places.

“I'm bringing Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson in,” said Warnock when quizzed on his backroom staff.

“I said to Steve I can do it but I need my lieutenants there. Everywhere we've been we've worked together. Steve is talking to Jonathan.”

Warnock also admitted he’s had other offers since leaving Cardiff, yet they didn’t have the same appeal.

“My chief executive kept telling people I was taking this job and that job,” he said.

“I had a great time at Cardiff, one of the best in my life. If it wasn't Steve Gibson ringing me up I'd have thought twice.

Whether Warnock is still smiling in the dugout on Saturday afternoon remains to be seen, yet he certainly seems up for the fight.