CITY must “dig deep” to pick up the pieces from a failed campaign, according to Stephen Warnock.

The veteran defender believes a cash injection is needed for next season to get the club going again after they fell away.

Warnock, who retired from the game after finishing the season on loan at Valley Parade, reckons owners Stefan Rupp and Edin Rahic must back their manager to prevent the club from drifting.

Warnock said: “The club needs investment. The chairman needs to dig deep into his pockets and back the manager.

“This club’s fanbase is incredible, the biggest in this league, and the fans deserve more. It is a massive club that deserves to be in the Championship, if not higher.

“But you need resources to get up there. It doesn’t happen on a shoestring.

“Look at the top six this season, in the main they all have big budgets.”

“The club needs massive backing. The situation with the manager also needs sorting out quickly. People need to know what is happening.

“That is not just the players, but the fans as well. Also, to attract new players, they need to know what is happening.”

Simon Grayson’s future is set to be resolved imminently before a busy summer which is likely to see plenty of player movement.

Warnock admits City have no time to waste.

“The club could drift,” he added. “Things need to be set in stone quickly.

“The fans need the belief to come back to the stadium next season.

“It is a great place to play when Valley Parade is bouncing and tough if you are an opponent.

“I don’t know if the manager will stay. You will have to ask him.

“But if you are the club, you do everything you can to make him stay because of his great reputation.

“Whether the club sees things in another way, I am not sure. But whether the manager is Simon or someone else, dig deep and back the manager.”

Warnock was given a huge send-off at Scunthorpe in the final game of his career. He felt the emotions kick in at the end of a 16-year career that began and finished playing on loan for City.

He said: “It was not easy but I am sort of glad the day is out of the way.

“There was a bit of a build-up to my final game. I had been coming in and just wanted to do my job.

“I wasn’t that emotional before the game, I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it.

“I wanted to run around and help the team. The things people have said have been nice, maybe that is down to the commitment I have shown every day in training.

“I have appreciated what a lot of old team-mates have said on social media.

“They understand what I have been through from my younger days. It is very touching and does mean a lot.”