Paul Warne’s six-year managerial stint at Rotherham has come to an end as the 49-year-old has been announced as the new Derby County manager.
Derby somewhat surprisingly relieved interim manager Liam Rosenior of his duties last night, in what is the first monumental decision of the David Clowes era.
Goalless away draws to Shrewsbury and Morecambe highlighted the fans’ frustrations with the tactics, boasting incredible possession statistics with very little chances to show for it.
The Rams sit in seventh place in League One, level on points with the playoffs, but remain the only side in the Football League that are yet to score a single goal away from home.
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Why will Paul Warne succeed?
20-year-old Millers fan Jenson Lambley underlined athleticism as a major catalyst in Warne’s success at Rotherham.
He said: “He [Paul Warne] was our fitness coach before he became manager. You can see how he has used that experience in the way we play.
“In the last 20 minute of most games, we’d be kicking it up a gear and having a lot more to offer. This is where we’d capitalise on the fitness and win many points.”
There is no doubt about the quality in Derby’s ranks, but the Rams have been prone to many poor second half performances that have led to nervy finishes.
Eight of the nine goals that Rosenior’s men have conceded this season have come in the second half and led to heavy criticism of the team’s energy levels.
Harry Pashley, 26, and Henry Cobb, 19, both stated that Warne is a great man manager and a huge motivator inside the dressing room that will expect every player to run themselves into the ground.
Pashley added: “He is a character he wants everyone to give 110% and has no time for bad eggs.
“This season we’ve been playing some of the best football I’ve seen us play in the last 10 years,” he added.
An honest and hardworking side is the foundation for every successful team. Warne can build on and transcend the great work put in place by Rosenior already using his own philosophies to take the team to the next level in a division he knows so much about.
Warne has been promoted from League One to the Championship on three separate occasions and guided the Millers to the EFL trophy in 2022.
Fortunately, Rosenior has opted to stay in the coaching team at Moor Farm, which will no doubt benefit the players' transition between the two managers styles of play.
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What to expect?
Perhaps the most exciting news for Rams fans will be the discussion of tactics and formations.
Cobb said: “In the early days we would switch 4-1-4-1 and the 4-4-2 to get more bodies in midfield but more recently in the Championship we have switched to the 3-5-2 and play with great energy all over the pitch and utilise the fullbacks.”
Rosenior has instilled an entertaining brand of possession-based football at Pride Park, but his side has struggled at times to break down lower end teams utilising the low block.
Supporters grew in frustration with the lack of inspiration from their club’s non-existent change of system, therefore the news of Paul Warne’s various gameplans will be welcome.
Many Rotherham fans have taken to social media to express their distress over the exit of their head coach, as they hold Warne in high regard.
This information will be extremely exciting for Derby County fans, who have for the first time since Nigel Pearson in 2016, appointed a manager with a successful track record.
Whether Warne is the man to lead the Rams to the promised land is a question for another day, but there is no better candidate in the Football League for a promotion from the third tier.