Neil Warnock plans to take Middlesbrough to the "other end of the table" after the club confirmed he will be in charge next season.

Warnock succeeded Jonathan Woodgate in June with the club in danger of relegation from the Sky Bet Championship – but now has sights on a ninth career promotion.

But Warnock won four of his eight games in charge for Boro to finish 17th and the 71-year-old veteran is now planning for next season after admitting "I must have retired about five times now".

"I've really enjoyed myself since I've come up here," Warnock told the official club website.

"It's been hard work, make no mistake. But this is a great club, and I'd like to take it towards the other end of the table.

"I just felt it was the right thing to do, to continue to shape the squad and take it forward. That's what I'm going to try and do."

Earlier this year, Warnock revealed Rovers were one of the clubs interested in hiring him as manager in the summer of 2016 before opting for Cardiff City.

At the time Rovers were in the market for a new boss, with Paul Lambert having stepped down from his position after just seven months in charge at Ewood Park.

Warnock was on the Rovers shortlist to replace the Scot, but instead opted to hold out before eventually taking charge of the Bluebirds who he won promotion with the following season.

The now 71-year-old also turned down the advances of Derby and Nottingham Forest, with Rovers appointing Owen Coyle as Lambert’s successor in June 2016.

Four years on, Warnock spoke to chairman Steve Gibson about extending his stay in the north east after Boro's Championship status was secured.

He had held discussions with their recruitment team and offered advice for future planning even before his own situation was resolved.

"Steve asked me for a true appraisal of everything and that's what I did," Warnock said.

"He was very helpful, he wants to improve the things I want improving and take the club forward.

"It won't be easy, we need quite a large influx of players and I'll be doing my best over the next few weeks to get the right ones."

Boro sacked Woodgate after a 3-0 home defeat to Swansea - the first game following the coronavirus lockdown - left them above the relegation zone only on goal difference.