MIDDLESBROUGH boss Neil Warnock believes Jonathan Woodgate has been given an "excellent opportunity" to manage Cherries until the end of the season, but admitted he would have liked to have seen Thierry Henry arrive into the Championship.

Woodgate was named as Cherries' new head coach on Sunday, after a five-game spell as caretaker boss following the sacking of Jason Tindall earlier this month.

Arsenal and France legend Henry was heavily linked with the role, with the Daily Echo understanding Cherries asked his current club CF Montreal permission to speak to him about the vacancy.

However, the board eventually decided to stick with Woodgate.

But Warnock, whose Boro side sit three points below Cherries in the Championship table, would have loved to have seen Henry given the job.

In quotes reported by the Hartlepool Mail, the 72-year-old said: "Personally, I wish Thierry Henry had taken over if I’m honest.

"I’m not being disrespectful to Jonathan, but I was hoping they were going to appoint Thierry Henry.

"I thought, wow, he’ll wonder what’s hit him coming to the Championship."

Warnock replaced Woodgate as Boro boss after the former England centre-back was sacked in June 2020 after a poor run of results.

And despite being keen to pit his wits against Frenchman Henry, Warnock believes Woodgate will have a good chance of success at Cherries.

He said: "I think Jonathan will have learned a lot from his experiences here last season.

"You always learn from any experience in management.

"I’m sure he wouldn’t in his wildest dreams ever think he’d have been able to take over a club with the squad Bournemouth have got. I wish I could have taken over that team - they are a super squad.

“I’m sure he’s learned from the Boro experience and I think he’s got an excellent job of still being the manager there next season.

“You need a bit of luck at times in football - something to drop for you. I’m sure he was disappointed when Jason left but when one door closes, another one opens and you’ve just got to take opportunities when they come your way.”

“Sometimes it’s more difficult at your home club. Expectations come from everywhere.

“And with Jonathan, he was one of the best centre-halves I’ve certainly ever seen.

“And sometimes when that’s how you were as a player everyone just accepts you’ll be a successful manager too.

“But it’s so much more difficult at times to please your own fans.

“But I think this is a great opportunity me and it’s a good club.”