‘Perfect fit’: Derby take Paul Warne from Rotherham as new manager

Derby have confirmed the appointment of Paul Warne as their manager. The 49-year-old joins from Rotherham, where he won promotion to the Championship three times, and takes over from Liam Rosenior, who had been in interim charge.

Derby have given Warne a contract to 2026 and said: “As was made clear in the summer, the board intended to take a period of time evaluating every aspect of the club and having done that we believe Paul’s track record of success at this level fits perfectly into our long-term strategy.”

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Rosenior had been backed by Derby’s new owner, Clowes Developments, to make the job his own after Wayne Rooney resigned in June. But the 38-year-old, who had been Rooney’s assistant, has been relieved of his duties and it is not clear whether he will remain at the League One club.

Derby confirmed Warne’s Rotherham coaching staff – the assistant head coach, Richie Barker, first-team coach, Matt Hamshaw, and first-team goalkeeper coach, Andy Warrington – had joined him. Their next game is at Cambridge on 1 October.

Warne had been in charge of Rotherham since 2016 and also oversaw three relegations from the Championship while working under significant financial restraints. He leaves Rotherham with the club eighth in the Championship after nine games – their best start in the second tier since the 1960s.

Rotherham said: “While of course we are disappointed to see Paul and his staff depart, they do so with our very best wishes and thanks for their commitment to their roles here.”