We take a look at the favourites to become new Derby County manager as the club sacks head coach Paul Warne ahead of this weekend’s match.
He guided the Rams back to the Championship in his second season in charge, however, has seen his side struggle for form in the second division this season.
The Rams find themselves in the relegation zone, two points from safety, and take on Norwich on Saturday before facing Oxford in midweek and QPR after that.
It is with regret that Derby County have decided to relieve Paul Warne of his position.
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 7, 2025
Derby County can confirm that First Team Coach Matt Hamshaw will lead the team in Saturday's Sky Bet Championship fixture at Norwich City.
He will be supported by Jake Buxton, Bradley Johnson, Andy Warrington and the rest of the existing backroom staff.
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 7, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
It is with regret that Derby County have decided to relieve Paul Warne of his position.
While Paul and his staff helped deliver on the club’s objective of a return to the Championship last season, the recent run of results necessitates a change.
Owner David Clowes said: “Paul is a man of great integrity and embodies the values we hold important at Derby County. No fan should ever forget his contribution in securing promotion to the Championship. I certainly won’t.
“However, results in football dictate decisions and we felt that to give us the best chance of retaining our Championship status, the time was right to make a change.
“Paul goes with our thanks, gratitude and best wishes. He and his family will always be welcome at Pride Park.”
The search for Paul’s replacement is underway and there will be no further comment until the position has been filled.
Derby County can confirm that First Team Coach Matt Hamshaw will lead the team in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at Norwich City (3pm kick-off).
He will be supported by Under-21 Lead Coach Jake Buxton, Assistant Under-18 Coach Bradley Johnson and First Team Goalkeeper Coach Andy Warrington and the rest of the existing backroom staff.
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW DERBY BOSS:
Bet Victor – 7 Feb – 5:30pm
Richie Wellens – 1/1
Sean Dyche – 6/1
Steven Gerrard – 6/1
Steve Cooper – 6/1
Russell Martin – 8/1
Gary O’Neil – 8/1
Des Buckingham – 12/1
Lee Carsley – 12/1
Paul Warne said in his pre-match press conference:
On new signing Langas and Armstrong…
We’ve been after Sondre Langås for a while. He’s been at the top of our shopping list, if something could happen. We’ve always liked him. He’s got unbelievable spring and great pace, which I always like my backline to have. If you ever leave him one-on-one, he can cover up as well. He’s at a good age and a Norwegian international who wants to progress his career. There’s a lot of boxes ticked there for us. We really liked him as a lad as well and he is a really good addition to our backline.
Harrison Armstrong was brought to our attention by our recruiters in the summer. They watched him play in pre-season against Preston North End and said that he was right up our street. We tried to sign him in the summer, but it wasn’t to be in that window. Ever since then, we’ve tried to keep on top of it to convince the lad to come here.
Everton’s change in manager may have led to a change; we knew that may keep him in their group to get more game time in their first team. However, they wanted him to come out on loan, which is great.
He’s a really good addition. He’s a young man who’s got the maturity of a 28-year-old with many league appearances. He’s very mature and really polite, which I like. He’s a winner, and he’s been really competitive in training. Both of the new signings will come in and compete as really good additions.
On the squad going into the weekend…
Ryan Nyambe should be training with the squad tomorrow. Callum Elder and Nat Phillips trained with the squad today. If we can get all three back in contention to play a part at the weekend, that is a massive boost.
On Saturday’s clash with Norwich, followed by Tuesday’s home game against Oxford and next Friday’s visit to QPR…
We’re obviously in a bad run, so we need to turn this around with a hardened performance but being a bit more clinical in the final third. We’re all working really hard this week to get a Derby County win. I always think we’re really competitive in games, but just in those moments, for whatever reason, we’re not coming out on top. I do see these three matches in seven days we have coming up as a chance for a good points tally. However, understandably, at the moment we are judged on results, and they’re not where we want them to be.
Warne after defeat to Sheffield United:
On his feelings at full-time…
It’s pretty raw. I’m disappointed to lose a game and, because of the run we’re on, a point would have felt like a worthy one. I’ve just said it to the dressing room, I’m proud of the effort the players have put in and they kept going until the end. We’re asking a lot of people to play and have been riddled with injuries. We’ve asked a lot of people to play out of position; we asked Ryan Nyambe to play right centre-half for example. Unfortunately, we had to take him off at half-time, so then we had to take Ebou Adams out of midfield. I thought we were doing quite well in midfield, it was nice to have David Ozoh back and he only played an hour because it was his first game back from the start since September. You’re then taking your two stronger players off and the physicality out of the team, so it was difficult.
On missed chances proving to be pivotal…
In the second half, apart from the goal, I don’t remember any goal threat from Sheffield United. Unfortunately, I can’t keep saying it because I’ve said it a lot of times now, we’re losing by one goal. We’re not losing by four or five goals. We do create chances, we had a really good opportunity to score late on through Matt Clarke, but we’re in that form at the moment where we don’t take our chances and get punished. Apart from a couple of long-range shots first half, I didn’t feel that threatened. The best teams take the chances and that’s what’s happened today.
On the squad’s belief coming into the final stages of the season…
I didn’t feel there was a massive lack of belief. I just think that we asked a lot of people to do different things and play a different way. It was a bit of typical winter football for both teams. I don’t think anyone played creative, unbelievable soccer. No one’s involved in sport at any level to continuously lose, which we are doing in this run.
The lads are hugely disappointed, but I don’t feel they lack confidence. I just believe we came up against a really good team. If this was an independent result, or three months ago and we’d lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield United it would probably be a bit okay. It’s the fact that it’s on the end of a poor run, that magnifies everything. I understand that. I don’t think the lads have a massive lack of confidence.
This is how fans reacted amid the favourites to become new Derby County manager as the club sacks Paul Warne…
@oxfordtoafrica: But why wait till a few days after the closing of the transfer window, you gave him a game or two extra, sure. Now the new boss has a few games less of a way of shaping his squad, which had to be done two weeks ago or stick with him. Des Buckingham is available for free! Bizarre.
@RBjnr1968: Very, very disappointed for the manager. Thankyou for getting us back into the championship and thankyou for your efforts under difficult circumstances this season. Massive decision now for the owner
@viksinghdosanjh: Thank you for the promotion back to the championship Warney but it was time for change, great person off the pitch just a shame wasn’t the case on it. glad the board have taken such a big decision but hopefully we get the next appointment right!
@samsandars: I was definitely not Warne in but sacking him now when we have just got new players in and not earlier seems odd. Why not sack him before now.
@InkedAD: Great league 1 manager but unfortunately his championship record with every club he’s managed has been poor. Wish him all the best. Now to get someone in who can get us out of this situation
@wragg_nick: Really sad about this as I really liked him, however results have just been horrendous recently and the footballs not been great either. Thanks PW
@dcfcg02: Warne, Thank you for the promotion but results just weren’t good enough let’s not kid ourselves. We CAN finally move on and hopefully retain our position in the Championship with someone else at the helm. Correct decision by everyone at board level.
@adaml88: Sorry it had to be this way but thanks for everything Paul, good luck for the future
@DCFC_Shorey: Thanks for getting us back in the championship. Question is who takes charge tomorrow and why let him do all the media stuff yesterday and say we was looking at three free agents if we was gonna get rid today?
@RasiakDcfc: Top bloke, but thank you David Clowes for doing the right thing
@EuanHewes: Thank you Paul, wasn’t meant to be in the end but you did your job getting us promoted, remember the good times rams fans
@Tooneyram: He did us well in league one, but his football and approach/tactics in the championship didnt work. He has a smaller club mentality.. Whos in charge tomozz then Mr Clowes
@katieflintt: trust me there will be no regret
@Catters61: Such strange timing. New players just added and a big game tomorrow
@Derby333: Not saying he would have turned things around but this stinks of the club deflecting from the fact they failed to sign the players we needed in the window and have now panicked and are hoping for a new manager bounce, who’s available that can hit the ground running 🤷🏼♂️ #dcfc
@craigjnash: The right decision but a sad day. Nice bloke who got us out of League 1. We must always be grateful for that
@JonG1981: 100% the right decision, did the job we needed but clear taken us as far as he could
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