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Neil Warnock: People need to realise that following Covid-19 restrictions is a life-or-death matter

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has tested positive for Covid-19, the Sky Bet Championship club - PA
Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has tested positive for Covid-19, the Sky Bet Championship club - PA

Neil Warnock will return to the dugout this weekend for his 1500th game as a manager with a warning that those who refuse to follow Covid-19 guidance will end up killing people they love after his own battle with the virus left him unable to move for days.

Warnock knows he was lucky to stay out of hospital, pointing out that he is fitter than most people of his age, but was still so weak that he could not stay awake.

The 71-year-old has always kept himself active, heading to the gym at Middlesbrough’s training ground most days, as well as cycling frequently, but even he struggled to recover.

“I was very fortunate I didn't get anything on my chest,” said Warnock, who will be back in the dugout against Barnsley this weekend for the first time since he received a positive test result.

“I just started with a little niggly throat and then lost my sense of smell and taste…for the first few days, I was absolutely shattered and wanting to go to sleep every minute of the day. I couldn’t do anything at all.

“You've got no option but to look after yourself. When you get older, you want a nap in the afternoon or this, that and the other, but with this virus, you're just constantly absolutely shattered and you don't feel like doing anything, so it's slightly different. It can linger [for a long time too]. It was a very tiring experience for me.

“It's not a matter of difficulty [staying at home], you've got to do it, it's as simple as that. It's life and death with this horrible virus.

“That's why it annoys me when I see 200 kids having a party. It's not so much what's happening in their vicinity, it's what's going to happen in the wider area when they go and speak to somebody else and somebody else.

“They must have grandparents and parents that are older and have got problems. There's just not enough thought going on at times in certain areas, which disappoints me at the moment.

Warnock believes he was fortunate to keep the virus away from his chest - Getty Images
Warnock believes he was fortunate to keep the virus away from his chest - Getty Images

“I think it’s ridiculous that people won’t wear masks. I just think why put other people’s lives at risk? You might not think, when you’re with your mates, a group of young lads or ladies, and when they are out and they want to have a good time.

“We all want to have a good time, but you’ve also got to be responsible in what the Government tells us. I’m not saying the Government have been right, there have been times when you’re wondered what they are going to muck up next. But the thing is it kills. It’s kills older people and these youngsters have all got families.

“Do they want to give it to their grandparents, aunties and uncles? We’ve got to be responsible, we’ve got to wear masks unless we are outside.

“It’s not just kids, it’s people my age, people in their 40s and 50s refusing to wear masks in shops. My wife, if she were with me, she would tell ‘em. Anybody who walks past without a mask, my Mrs would tell them straight and I would be stood behind her.”

Warnock revealed he had been taking extra precautions to try and avoid catching the virus, to such an extent that he even washed his fruit and vegetables when he got home from the supermarket. He has also regularly disinfected the hard surfaces in his home, along with door handles, but still failed to avoid an infection.

“First of all, I was very surprised I'd got it because I've been so careful,” he said. “But it just shows you how simple it is to catch something.

“But once I'd got it, I was determined to try to do the exercise for my lungs etc, to make sure I tried to keep those as wide-open as I could. Because it is basically when you get the problems in your lungs that you get your breathing difficulties, especially when you are older.

“I rested a lot and I listened to what the doc said to me and tried to treat it. It's such a virus that you have to listen and act on what you are advised to do.

“I'm very fortunate that I didn't get it in March, April, May, when by the looks of it, we didn't really know what we were doing, did we? We know more about it now.”

And Warnock is convinced it was only his exercise regime that meant he avoided any of the really severe symptoms.

“Even when I was younger as a player, I used to look at my managers – one manager in particular who, I remember, was really quite overweight – and I thought, 'If ever I start managing, I don't want my players to see me like that'.

“I remember that vividly and it's driven me on. I like my players to know that I'm training after every session. They have a laugh because I have to have a headband on because I sweat terribly.

“You've got to look after it as you get older. I think because of that little bit of extra fitness, I managed to keep it away from my chest and my lungs.”