‘I hate being disrespectful’: Champions League winner admits he ‘dropped his standards’ after joining Leeds

Former Leeds United player Stephen Warnock has admitted that he “dropped his standards” during his two-year spell at the club. Warnock, who joined Leeds in 2013, said that he struggled to adapt to the Championship after playing in the Premier League with Liverpool.

In an interview with the Under The Cosh podcast, Warnock said: “I probably dropped my standards thinking I could go down to the Championship and coast, which you can’t. I struggled for a bit.”

Warnock, who made 67 appearances for Leeds, also praised the club’s fans and size, but admitted that he couldn’t produce his best form during his time at Elland Road. He also revealed that he had hoped to stay at Leeds for a short period before returning to the Premier League, but ultimately ended up leaving for Derby County in 2015.

Warnock’s comments offer a candid insight into the challenges of adapting to a new league and the importance of maintaining high standards as a professional footballer. Despite his struggles, Warnock remains fond of Leeds United and has spoken highly of the club and its fans in the past.