Long read: Will Neil Warnock stay at Middlesbrough? The situation as it stands ahead of Sheffield Wednesday trip

Warnock has always said he will discuss his future at the end of the season, with Boro set to complete their 2019/20 campaign at Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday evening.

Boro can’t be relegated from the Championship if Wigan’s 12-point penalty for going into administration is upheld, yet the Latics have appealed the decision and a verdict won’t be reached until the season is over.

The Teessiders, therefore, want a clearer picture of where they stand after 46 games before making plans for the next campaign, hence the reason Warnock has been tight-lipped about his future.

Over the last few weeks Warnock has given strong indications that he wants to stay on, making comparisons between Boro and the project he successfully oversaw at Cardiff City.

The 71-year-old has held discussions with Boro’s recruitment team about players who may be available this summer, while also sharing his views on the current squad – including those who are coming to the end of their contracts.

During Tuesday’s pre-match press conference via Zoom, Warnock was directly asked by the Mail if he wanted to stay at Boro next season.

"I’ve come on board at the start to try and make sure we stay in the league,” he replied. “It’s been very, very difficult and all we’ve talked about is ‘let’s get to the end of the season and then talk about things’.

“Steve knows I won’t be disappointed if he might want to go in a different direction and likewise the same.

“I think we just have to sit down and talk like we have done since I’ve known him, he’s someone who I’ve had a lot of time for over the years and I’m sure we will be discussing loads of things.”

A decision regarding Boro’s manager will have to be made quickly, especially with the 2020/21 campaign expected to start in September after a truncated pre-season.

Warnock plans to take a break after Thursday’s meeting and says he’s unsure if a decision will be made immediately.

The 71-year-old also said he won’t need any assurances to sign a longer deal at the Riverside, perhaps another indication that he wants to stay.

“I’ll be asked questions which hopefully I can give an answer to – what I feel about the club from being inside it for a few weeks,” added Warnock during Tuesday’s press conference.

“It would be nice at the other end of the table to be talking about what I felt was needed, but we are where we are and we’ve got to battle out.

“The meeting was planned quite a while ago because I’m going to get a break straight after, hopefully on Friday, and have a few days without my telephone on,” he laughed.

Decisions will also have to be made on the players who look set to leave the Riverside this summer, as well as potential transfer targets to rectify an unbalanced squad.

Adam Clayton, George Friend and Marvin Johnson are all set to become free agents this week, yet there hasn’t been much indication they will be offered new deals.

Friend and Johnson have played regularly under Warnock after signing short-term waivers to complete the season when their contracts expired in June.

“It’s been a pleasure to have lads like that, obviously giving everything they can,” said Warnock when asked about the aforementioned players.

“In the last few weeks, I’ve never seen Marvin play better, if I’m honest. Whether he’s playing to make sure he gets another club, I don’t know. But he’s definitely done his cause no harm the way he’s played.

"George has contributed both on and off the field. He’s been exemplary really.”

Despite his weighted input, Warnock knows he won’t have the final say over transfers and contracts – even if he stays.

Still, his trust and respect towards Gibson is clear.

When quizzed further on the players who could leave this summer, Warnock added: “I’ve spoken to the powers that be and given them what I feel about everybody at the club, not just the players who are out of contract, the players that are in contract as well.

“That’s what they asked me to do and that’s what I’ve done.

“I don’t think anybody can prove anything else now, this is the last game of the season so I think Steve and Neil (Bausor) are aware of what we think regarding the squad, what it needs and how we can help. I don’t think the last game will have any influence on that.”

The importance of the next few days can’t be understated as Boro look to firmly cement their Championship status and plan ahead for next season.

Keeping Warnock would seemingly make things more straightforward and appears to be the most logical choice, rather than taking another change of direction with just weeks to prepare for a new campaign.

There will still be plenty of things to discuss in the coming weeks, yet the situation should become a lot clearer after Thursday’s chat.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.