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Paul Warne speaks for the first time on becoming new MK Dons head coach

Paul Warne speaks for the first time on becoming the new MK Dons head coach, just days despite reportedly ‘rejecting’ interest.

Milton Keynes Dons stepped up their efforts to land former Derby and Rotherham boss Paul Warne as their new boss.

Warne had been pulled out of planned media commitments this week, with the deal eventually done for him to return to management.

His new club currently sit 19th in the League Two table with 46 points from 42 games played, 9 points above the drop zone.

WHAT DID THE CLUB SAY:

Milton Keynes Dons are thrilled to announce the appointment of Paul Warne as First Team Head Coach.

This is a significant appointment for MK Dons and demonstrates the club’s unwavering ambition to attract a Head Coach of Paul’s calibre while in League Two.

Warne has previously managed Rotherham United and Derby County, winning four promotions from League One since 2018.

The former forward also won the EFL Trophy with Rotherham in 2022 and has been named League One manager of the month on five separate occasions.

Since taking his first steps into management with the Millers in 2016, Warne has been widely praised for his ability to build strong team cultures and develop players. His teams have been dynamic and attacking while also showing defensive resilience and character.

Warne joins the Dons on a long-term deal that will give him the security and support to develop an impactful culture shift at Stadium MK. He will lead First Team training this week before taking charge of MK Dons for the first time against Newport County at Stadium MK on Good Friday.

A forward during his playing career, Warne signed for Wigan Athletic in 1997. He then joined Rotherham United in 1999, staying with the Millers for five years and gaining two promotions. The now 51-year-old then enjoyed two-year spells with Oldham Athletic and Yeovil Town respectively, before rejoining Rotherham in 2009 and eventually hanging up his boots in 2012.

Warne now joins MK Dons with over 30 years of football experience and will be accompanied by Assistant Head Coach Richie Barker. This marks Barker’s second stint at Stadium MK, having previously served as Assistant Manager from 2014-2016 and eventually acting as caretaker for eight games.

On joining MK Dons as Head Coach, Paul Warne said: “I’m over the moon to be joining MK Dons with Richard at such a pivotal moment in the club’s history. The potential of the team under the ownership of Fahad and the Board is truly limitless, and I’m extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to manage the side over the coming years. This is an amazing project, and we’re so excited to drive it forward. I can’t wait to get on the grass, we have some talented players in the squad who we’re really looking forward to working with. I’d like to thank Fahad, Neil and Liam for putting their faith in us and I can’t wait to meet the Dons’ supporters on Friday.”

On Paul Warne’s appointment, MK Dons Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim said:

“Paul Warne is a phenomenal football manager and I’m absolutely delighted he’ll be joining us at MK Dons – he was our number one choice. Having met with him, I was extremely impressed, not only with his vision for the team but also with his character. I truly believe Paul was the best manager available to us and I’m thrilled to have secured his services at Stadium MK on a long-term deal. I’d like to congratulate Paul and thank him for his belief in the project and the fantastic opportunity we have at our club. It’s my hope we can now enter pre-season full of optimism while looking ahead to an exciting future with Paul at the helm.”

On bringing Paul Warne to Stadium MK, MK Dons CEO Neil Hart said:

“Paul Warne is undoubtedly a first-class Head Coach, this appointment marks a new era for MK Dons that will look a little bit different from what has come before. Paul will work closely with the owners and the executive team to bring sustainable success to our football club. Following an exhaustive and comprehensive interview process Paul was the standout candidate and for us represented a huge step in the right direction. His incredible record in the EFL speaks for itself, and we’re confident we’ve appointed a bona fide winner whose pragmatism and adaptability on the pitch will take us forward. I know our fantastic supporters and the people of Milton Keynes will get right behind him, starting at Stadium MK this Friday!”

On the importance of appointing Paul Warne, MK Dons Sporting Director Liam Sweeting said:

“This is, quite simply, a massive appointment for MK Dons. Paul is someone we’ve admired for a long time. We got to know him well during the 21/22 season when we competed with his Rotherham side, and we’ve followed his progress closely since then – particularly his continued success at Derby. Paul will undoubtedly help us develop further as a football club and play a key role in driving us forward on this journey under our new ownership group. We’ve seen first-hand what can happen when performance on the pitch connects with the people of Milton Keynes in the stands. We truly believe that, under Paul’s leadership, we can re-establish that connection – playing an exciting, attacking brand of football and building the right culture and environment to give our First Team squad the clarity they need to succeed. We’re also really pleased to welcome Richie Barker back to Stadium MK and look forward to working closely with both him and Paul in the years ahead.”

Twitter users reacted as Paul Warne speaks for the first time on becoming new MK Dons head coach…

@PageDcfc: Thanks for the promotion, all the best Paul hope it works out

@dazw71: Very surprised at this. Top bloke, decent manager but better than L2. Very surprised he hasn’t gone somewhere like Barnsley or Huddersfield

@JakeBarker1212: Knows how to get teams up at L1 level and below. Best of luck Warne

@scottneedham88: Very surprised at this. He’ll get them promoted next season

@MikeC4rter: Surprised he’s gone to you lot, thought he had a bit more ambition

@Gav1981: Top bloke… did a good job for us taking us up but then took us as far as he could… think he’ll do well. Club shop needs to stock up on bobble hats 😂

@dcfcstephen: I hope your players are ready to gas out.

@lakers2306: Always seemed a decent and honest bloke, if you like David Brent you will love his interviews, that being said his football is dire, tho effective in the lower leagues, he also manages to accumulate a massive amount of injuries. good luck to him!

@Guardthebee: Tremendous appointment. He’ll do a great job, really liked him at Derby, top bloke.

@Natalie30163876: He will get u promoted 100% I’m shocked he’s gone to you guys. Distance more than anything. I can’t see him up rooting his family so thats some serious travelling for him. Keep with him it might take a couple of seasons but he will get u up.

@dcfcpete82: Top, top bloke, should comfortably do a job at that level, surprised no league one offers for him though

@dcfcg02: Good luck Paul, Got us promoted from League One in the second season with the club, Great appointment for you boys. All the best 🐏

@CJ_Randell: Very solid manager, but the football will be horrific. A far cry from MK Dons who outplayed LVG’s Man Utd.

@vickydrip: Best of luck Paul! You’ve got a great guy there.

@portercarl1: Good luck Paul Warne at MK Dons 👏🏻 thank you for our great memories of promotion just wasn’t meant to be in the championship with us 🖤🤍🐏

@PickeringMaz: Good luck Warne genuine lovely guy hope it works out for him 👏

@rockjames: From a 🐏 fan – great appointment- he’ll get you up the league but it will be awful to watch. Results > Style

HAVE YOUR SAY

What do you make of this appointment? Will it be another season of struggle or can you see them in the promotion race next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us @fan_banter

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