‘I needed help’ – Neil Warnock gets emotional thinking about Emiliano Sala tragedy at Cardiff
Neil Warnock has opened up on the lasting impact Emiliano Sala’s death had on him during his time as Cardiff City manager.
Sala tragically died in January 2019 when the small aircraft transporting him from Nantes to Cardiff crashed into the English Channel, killing both him and pilot David Ibbotson.
The Argentinian striker was just 28-years-old, and had completed a £15million move to the Bluebirds two days earlier.
After officially being unveiled as the club’s record signing, Sala had returned to France to say goodbye to his Nantes teammates.
However, tragedy struck on his return journey to Wales, meaning he never met his Cardiff teammates or fans, but the loss of the Argentine sent shockwaves throughout the club.
‘Never experienced anything like it’
Iconic manager Warnock was in charge of the then-Premier League outfit at the time of Sala’s death, and he has revealed how he struggled to cope in the aftermath.
Appearing on talkSPORT on Friday, Warnock was discussing Mohamed Salah‘s current situation at Liverpool, with his future at the club in major doubt after a bombshell interview.
The Reds talisman claimed he felt ‘thrown under the bus’, and that his relationship with manager Arne Slot had broken down.
While the Egyptian has been widely condemned for his actions, talkSPORT presenter Sam Matterface reminded listeners that both he and Slot are still dealing with the loss of Diogo Jota.
With Warnock being faced with a similar situation after Sala’s death, he was asked how such a tragedy can affect a football club.
The former Bluebirds boss admitted: “You can’t really put it into words.
“You have to be present when something like that happens.
“The people who were really close to Jota, I think the effect that it would have had on them, honestly, you can’t describe that.
“In 45 years in management, I’ve never experienced anything like it, and I wouldn’t want to do it again either.
“So for some of those players, I would think it’ll take a good season to get over it.
“I’m not saying everybody, but the ones who were really close to him. You can’t explain it.”
When asked if Jota’s death could be factor behind Salah’s actions, Warnock replied: “I don’t think you can deny that it could be [a contributing factor], but I think there’s so many other things as well in that respect.
“It’s no good just saying that is the reason.”
Warnock ‘needed help’ after Sala tragedy
Moving on to how he dealt with Sala’s death whilst at Cardiff, Warnock revealed the entire football club was in mourning for a prolonged period.
Recalling the heartbreaking time, he said: “Honestly, it’s not just a matter of saying that: ‘This happened, and then he’s not here’.
“It went on for months and months and months. We were in grieving.
“I mean the Bluebirds – the Cardiff fans – were absolutely unbelievable. I’ve got goose pimples now talking about it and they were unbelievable for the rest of the season.
“The effect on some of the lads – I saw one or two of the lads and they needed help [mentally], they needed talking to. I tried to do what I’ve done all my career in trying to give them the right advice.
“But even I needed help to come over there, and I’m the one giving them the advice – you can’t really describe it.
“It’s an element that I think you can’t just put under the carpet.”
Despite admitting that the loss of Jota will continue to affect Liverpool‘s players, Warnock insisted this won’t be the only factor at play in the Salah saga.
He added: “But listen that’s not everything is it? That’s not the reason.
“I’m sure that that Mo [Salah] could have done more. I’m sure that Slot could have done more.”
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