Give me a job - Warnock pleads for new challenge

He said: "The Premiership has whetted my appetite. I would hope a Premiership club give me a chance. I look around at some of the managers and think you've got to have confidence in your own ability."

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Warnock, whose decision to step down after seven-and-ahalf years was triggered by Sunday's relegation, joked he might return if United win the battle to send West Ham down.

But as chairman Kevin McCabe prepared to seek legal justice over the P remier League's failure to dock West Ham points for the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano affair, Warnock made his anger clear. He claimed Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had showed total contempt' by fielding a weakened side earlier this month at relegation rivals Fulham, who won 1-0 and went on to stay up by a point.

And he refused to accept Sir Alex Ferguson's explanation for the side that lost 1-0 to West Ham at Old Trafford and so condemned Sheffield United, who would have stayed up had West Ham been beaten.

McCabe has served arbitration proceedings on the Premiership and wants a decision from a new tribunal in a month.

Warnock and Belgium-based McCabe agreed to a parting of the ways at a meeting in Brussels that was meant to sort out the impasse over a new unsigned two-year contract for the lifelong Bramall Lane fan.

Warnock said: If they're reinstated, I'll be applying for the job! It's for Kevin and the board to take up the fight now. I'm not going to rush into anything. I'm prepared to wait.' Warnock was in Belfast on Tuesday to make the Milk Cup draw, not as a candidate for Northern Ireland.

Leicester will rival Crystal Palace for his services but Warnock believes he has proved his top-flight credentials. He admitted he would have signed his £750,000-a-year deal had United stayed up and revealed he did not sleep after Wigan's 2-1 win relegated his team. He said: The hurt was terrible, probably the worst time since I was 12 when my mum died and I remember thinking: "Why me?".

Sir Alex felt obliged to ring me and explain. But I know that as a manager looking at a rival's teamsheet, without the likes of Ronaldo, Vidic and the rest, it gives you a massive lift. I feel more upset with Rafael. He showed us total contempt.'

Players expect No 2 Stuart McCall to be named manager — and that could help stem an exodus led by Phil Jagielka and Paddy Kenny. However, McCabe would confirm him only as a candidate yesterday.

McCabe's solution to the West Ham row is radical. He said: A club which has played by the rules has been relegated at the expense of a club who have fielded ineligible players. Why not have 21 clubs in the Premiership next season and relegate four at the end?'