(Picture: Action Images)
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock has revealed he was left ‘disappointed’ not to get a call over the summer from Aston Villa regarding their vacant managerial role.
The current Bluebirds manager was out of work after leaving Rotherham United at the end of last season, and says that he spoke to numerous clubs, but not Villa.
”There were about five clubs I spoke to, I think you have to look at that when you get to my age,” Warnock said before his side travel to Villa Park tomorrow.
“I would not be here if one or two of those things had cropped up, but I am really pleased I am here [at Cardiff]. It is probably fate.
“They [Villa] wanted bigger names I think, they took the lad [Di Matteo] and that is how it goes.
“I thought at the time that’s their loss not mine.”
While Warnock remained out of work until November, before being employed to take over from Paul Trollope in the Welsh Capital, Di Matteo lasted just 124 days in the Midlands.
Having struggled to meet the demands of expectant Villa owner Dr Tony Xia, the Italian was swiftly shown the door and replaced by Steve Bruce, someone Warnock sees a lot of himself in, and who he expects to do very well.
He said: ”With Steve and myself I think you get what you see. I was disappointed I did not get a chance with Villa in the summer if I’m honest, because I thought I would have been ideal to sort everything out.
“And that is why I am not surprised at all Steve has gone in and done really well.
“I am not saying we are similar types, but I think we have the same philosophies regarding management.
”I think Steve is the right one now. He knows its a massive club he will be looking forward to it. We have had some right battles over the years, and he knows he is in for a tough game on Saturday.”
