'Blade' Neil Warnock in running to rescue Sheffield Wednesday

Neil Warnock once joked that he would take over Wednesday and try to get them relegated (Getty Images)

Neil Warnock once joked if he ever became Sheffield Wednesday manager he would do his best to get them relegated, instead he may become the man tasked with keeping the Championship club up.

The 65-year-old former Sheffield United manager is a shock contender to replace Dave Jones, who was sacked on Sunday with Wednesday in the Championship's bottom two.

Warnock has long been admired by Wednesday chairman Milan Mandaric, who almost persuaded him to manage Portsmouth eight years ago. Mandaric is considering selling Wednesday, but knows the club's value will plummet if they return to League One. He believes Warnock is the type of experienced manager who can save Wednesday.

It would only be a short-term agreement, to the end of the season, but that would suit Warnock, who now lives in Cornwall with his two school-age children. It is understood that he nearly took the Crystal Palace job on a similar basis last month. However, there could be problems with the Wednesday supporters.

Warnock was born in the steel city but grew up supporting United before managing the Blades for eight years. He was also involved in a furious row with Jones, and Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, after last season's match at Hillsborough against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United, who were Warnock's last employers.

Kirkland confronted Warnock in the dressing room after Warnock accused him on live TV of "going down like a ton of bricks" after the goalkeeper was struck by a Leeds fan who had invaded the pitch. Warnock has been doing media work, including his column in The Independent, since leaving Leeds in April.

In the meantime, first-team coach Stuart Gray has been appointed Wednesday's caretaker-manager and will be in charge for Tuesday night's match against Leicester City.

Neil Warnock once joked that he would take over Wednesday and try to get them relegated