Kevin Blackwell recalls play-off heartbreaks at Leeds and Sheffield United, working under 'great man-manager' Neil Warnock, and opens up on his new life in Poland

As the only manager to have been in charge of both Leeds and Sheffield United for more than two years each, Kevin Blackwell is hoping for a Yorkshire promotion double this season. ‘Poland has been a great experience,’ says Blackwell, whose coaching career saw him link up with Neil Warnock at eight different clubs. Kevin Blackwell now works as technical director of Polish top-flight club Lechia Gdansk Blackwell has managed both Leeds United and Sheffield United in the past ‘We won promotion last season and the policy of the owners is to develop young players, a bit like Brighton. Blackwell has served as Neil Warnock's assistant at eight diferent clubs during his career Blackwell first joined Sheffield United alongside Warnock as assitant in 1999 before becoming No1 nine years later Blackwell later became a No1 himself – leading both Leeds and Blades in Championship play-off finals – before reuniting with Warnock at Crystal Palace, Rotherham, QPR, Middlesbrough and Cardiff. ‘I won promotion with him at Scarborough then followed him to Notts County, Torquay, Huddersfield and Plymouth before our coaching days.’ Warnock told Blackwell that Crystal Palace would be his last club before he managed four more Once Gdansk’s game is over, Blackwell will search for highlights from Elland Road.