Neil Warnock responds to questions on his feud with Newcastle's Rafa Benitez

Neil Warnock has spoken about his "admiration" for Rafa Benitez '“ nine years after feuding with him.
Neil WarnockNeil Warnock
Neil Warnock

Warnock was furious with Benitez for fielding a weakened Liverpool team late in the season that his Sheffield United side were relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

The pair will be reunited at St James's Park tomorrow, when Warnock, appointed as Bluebirds manager last month, brings his Cardiff City side to St James's Park for a Championship fixture.

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And Warnock has spoken warmly about Newcastle United's hugely-experienced manager, and his decision to stay at the club in the wake of last season's relegation, at his pre-match media call.

Asked about Benitez, Warnock said: "I have to say how much I admire him.

"What's gone on in the past will not go away. I was disappointed at the time, but that's gone. I've got nothing but admiration for him, to stick with it.

"To be relegated and then to stay ... he'll be on a good salary, but it's not money that motivates you at this stage of our career. He wants to win and see the project through.

"I was surprised he stayed but it shows what he thinks of the club. He was at Real Madrid two years ago, he went down but he stuck with them.

"It shows it's a special club."