Neil Warnock never had any doubt that Aberdeen would be relegated despite failing to pick up a single Scottish Premiership win during his short tenure. 

Warnock's time in the Pittodrie hot seat came to an early conclusion after he guided the Dons to the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock. But it was the league form that was his Achilles heel as the 75-year-old watched his side struggle to keep a clean sheet and left him exasperated at the mistakes being made. 

At that point Aberdeen were being dragged into a scrap at the bottom end of the table, with fears the north-east outfit could finish in the relegation play-off position.

However, Peter Leven has taken over on an interim basis since Warnock exited and has guided the Reds to back-to-back wins. They are now six points ahead of 11th-placed Ross County.

Warnock admits he is surprised Aberdeen haven't appointed a permanent replacement almost a month after he returned back down south. IF Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin is the frontrunner for the job and he, or any potential newbie to the club have been advised to recruit players with top-flight experience when their looking towards next season. 

He said: "I thought they would have had a new manager by now. They'll stay up, no problem whatsoever. I don't think that was ever a question in our thoughts.

READ MORE: Barron declares Aberdeen 'can't play long ball' & praises boss Leven

"We still had all the bottom teams to play and we should have won points. It's a decent squad, but I think they need four or five proven players at that level.

"My only regret is that we threw daft goals away when we should have won games. 'I thought we should have won three games out of my five. Even the Rangers defeat was down to mistakes. I thought both goals were preventable. 'The St Mirren goals, they were an absolute joke, really. To concede like we did.

"So Ronnie (Jepson, his assistant) and I knew we wouldn't be leaving them with a problem. They will finish mid-table, I think, and then the new guy will come in under no pressure and have a good look at the squad and decide for himself."

A lot has been made of Warnock's departure just 33 days into the role. But the veteran manager told The Daily Mail it was his own decision to walk away and revealed his reasons why. 

He recalled: "It was my decision to go I just felt it was right for both parties really. I just felt there was no way that I wanted to take money under false pretences.

READ MORE: Veteran boss Warnock questions Aberdeen's data-led transfer approach

"I thought it would be better if they saved the money. I said to Dave (Cormack) that I felt that someone new had to come in and have a look at it for a good six or seven weeks if they can.

"If they are going to be challenging next year they've got to be really bringing some players in that can play at that level. That was my main advice.

"Get players in that they know can play at that level rather than data-led signings. I think it is possible to challenge those top two of Celtic and Rangers.

"But, to do it, they need four or five players who can play in the Scottish Premiership. I know it sounds silly, having been there and only had six games, but if you get some of your own signings that can do a job at that level you have a chance."