In an interview with The Sun Cellino appears to have no regrets.
"He asked me for two more years on his contract. I told him that I couldn’t commit the club to that. He’s 33. A few days ago he wanted to stay, now he wants to leave. But I couldn’t renew his contract for another two years.
"When a player is 30, they will only get a year-by-year contract — that is my rule. He is older, lives in Liverpool and refused to move to Leeds — and is often complaining. So I am happy for him.
"A few days ago he wanted to stay, now he wants to leave. But I couldn’t renew his contract for another two years.”
The Italian owner told the BBC last July he wanted all his players to move to the city, explaining: "Next season I do not want one single player who lives outside of Leeds, no way. That is mandatory. Last year there were players who were coming late to games."
Warnock's apparent to reluctance to do so has clearly led to an uneasy relationship between the player and club owner, but the contract issue appears to have been the over-riding factor behind letting the 33-year-old leave this month.