Manager

Paul Warne was named Derby County head coach in September 2022, becoming the first full-time managerial hire under new owner David Clowes.

The Rams had agreed on a compensation package with Rotherham, where the Norfolk-born coach was working at the time, that would allow him and his coaches Richie Barker, Matt Hamshaw and Andy Warrington to move to Pride Park.

A four-year deal would eventually be agreed, with the hope that his expertise in winning League One would allow for Derby to return to the Championship.

Derby manager Paul Warne’s coaching career

Warne’s coaching journey started where he left off his playing career, with Rotherham United. The former midfielder decided to hang his boots up in 2012, going on to join the backroom staff for the Millers.

In November 2016, he would be given the reigns to become a head coach when Kenny Jackett handed in his resignation at the club. As caretaker manager, Warne would eventually be appointed until the end of the 2016/17 season, when relegation from the Championship was confirmed.

A drop back into the third tier didn’t dissuade the owners from giving him a chance in the hot seat, securing a one-year rolling contract as head coach to begin with. Warne repaid that trust with a promotion the following season.

Relegation came knocking once more. But in his years at Rotherham, the gaffer managed three immediate returns to the second tier. Throw an EFL Trophy triumph into the mix, and it shows where the tag of League One expert comes from.

While his first season at Derby County in the 2022/23 season ended up with the Rams missing out on the playoffs on the final day, there will be plenty hoping his first full campaign can end in promotion.

Paul Warne’s coaching career

Derby County (Head Coach, September 2022 – Present)

Rotherham United (Head Coach, November 2016 – September 2022)

Paul Warne’s playing career

While he is perhaps better known for his managerial skills, Warne spent his playing days at a number of different clubs. Starting off in non-league, the midfielder featured for Great Yarmouth, Diss Town and Wroxham in the 1990s – all local to his home county of Norfolk.

His professional career began in 1997, aged 23, when he signed for Wigan Athletic and made a handful of appearances. An exit was on the cards in 1999 though as Rotherham kickstarted the long-standing association between the two.

Over 200 appearances in six years saw Warne become a stalwart in the side, before becoming another fans’ favourite at Oldham Athletic between 2005 and 2007. A two-year spell with Yeovil followed after, though he failed to agree a new deal and left in 2009.

A trial with Rotherham saw paths cross once more as the midfielder played for another three years for the Millers before hanging up his boots. While it wasn’t laden with trophies, it was a career that would propel him towards management.

Paul Warne as the manager of Derby County

Warne’s time at Pride Park has had mixed results so far, having inherited a position in a club that was decimated by ownership issues before his arrival. Liam Rosenior was put in interim charge to help rebuild the squad from a very slim base.

While Rosenior favoured a heavy possession-based style of play, Warne has built teams on the basis of them having solid foundations and some compromise was required. His usual five-at-the-back preference had to be ditched early on to find a new way of playing.

An incredible run of form followed and put the Rams in the playoff picture, before it dipped and made them far more vulnerable. It went down to the final day, where a win over third-place Sheffield Wednesday was required, but ultimately slipped away.

Heading into the summer, Warne had a chance to build a squad of his own, adding the likes of Sonny Bradley, Joe Ward, Conor Washington and Martyn Waghorn to his ranks. At the halfway stage, the side have positioned themselves firmly in the race for automatic promotion.