A club legend with Rotherham United, manager Paul Warne is now in his fifth full season at the helm of the Millers.
He was appointed caretaker manager of the club in January 2017, and later given the full-time position after Rotherham was relegated to League One at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. In his playing career, the Norwich-born midfielder saw action in more than 250 career games for the Millers, and scored 31 goals in two spells with the club. In 2012, Warne was granted a testimonial by the club for numerous years of service as a player, coach and joint caretaker-manager.
Manager Warne quotes…
On Rotherham’s league progression this season:
“I think our team is ace, and I’ve really enjoyed watching us this year. I think against Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday, we deserved something out of the games.
“We’ve had a difficult start, but I think our performances have been good. It is a great group, and I really enjoy working with them.”
On his thoughts about Richie Wellens:
“He was there as a player in some of [Rovers] best years. So, automatically, he has an advantage because the fans will be right behind him. They will give him the opportunity and time to build a team that they like, hopefully. There is a style of play that he will bring in, as he has with every other club he has been at, and I think it is what Rovers fans will want to see.”
On his thoughts about James Coppinger:
“He has always been a thorn in our side, to be fair. So, from a managerial point of view, I’m glad he won’t be involved!
“In another sense, it is quite sad, as I’ve always enjoyed watching him play, as a neutral, obviously. I thought his career and conduct was phenomenal. I’ve only really got to know him in the last 12 months, and I wish I’d got to know him as a friend and a bloke a little earlier in my career.
“He is testimony to the fact if you try every day to be the best version of yourself that you can play for years and years.”
On the team’s injury concerns:
“It is good news for Chiedozie Ogbene, and not as bad as we feared. We took him off as a precaution against Sheffield Wednesday. This weekend [against Rovers] will come a little too soon for him.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to play Curtis Tilt in the Papa John’s Trophy game against Doncaster, and that will be the last box for him to tick.
“Shane Ferguson took a knock to the foot, but we’re hopeful he’ll be included in the squad for the weekend.”