Derby County’s new head coach Paul Warne has been at the forefront of the team’s revival after a torrid period in the club’s recent history. Just a few days into his appointment, Warne noticed something odd about the training ground canteen: the coffee machine wasn’t working. Despite the complex having 17 pitches and a swimming pool, the broken coffee machine was driving Warne insane. He knew he had to either get it mended (at a colossal cost) or get rid of it. He ended up getting it fixed and it was an early win for him, setting the tone for the changes he wanted to bring to the club.
Four months later, Derby is on a 19-match unbeaten run with six consecutive wins, facing West Ham in the FA Cup on Monday night. Warne is a character, with staff and players finding him funny, inspirational, brutally honest and emotional. Over the course of 70 minutes in his office, Warne provides a compelling insight into his management style and methods.
At the training ground, Warne has introduced a “win wall” and a “clean sheet wall” with pictures of the players scoring, and he gives out mugs to players who score their first goal for him. The mugs are a quirky way to thank the players for their success and to get everyone to buy into the team spirit. Warne also has a close relationship with his squad, with seasoned professionals like Curtis Davies, David McGoldrick, and Richard Stearman having a significant influence on the team.
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In the dressing room at Pride Park stadium, Warne has created a “family why wall” with pictures of the players’ families, partners and children. He also plans to display photographs of the current squad in the tunnel leading to the pitch to make them feel a part of the journey. Warne likes to stay in touch with his players and sends them text messages, Gifs and WhatsApp messages. He realizes that this is how the current generation communicates, and he wants to keep up with the times.
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Warne leaves the fines system to his players, and the only serious punishment he dishes out is press-ups for those who miss the target in shooting drills. During a training session, the atmosphere is relaxed but professional, and Warne leaves most of the coaching to his assistant, Richie Barker, first-team coach Matt Hamshaw, and goalkeeping coach Andy Warrington, who he considers his best mates.
Before joining Derby, Warne was at Rotherham for six years, where he experienced a rollercoaster journey with three promotions to the Championship and three relegations to League One. When the offer from Derby came in, he was racked with doubts, suffering from imposter syndrome and knowing he would miss his comfy job at Rotherham where he had a great relationship with the owner and staff.
However, Warne took the opportunity and has not looked back since. He wants to build a similar relationship with Derby and is eager to help the team reach its full potential. He is proud of what the team has achieved so far and is excited about the future. He is always looking for ways to improve, and his drive and determination to succeed are evident in everything he does.
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In conclusion, Paul Warne is a character and a coach who has brought a fresh perspective to Derby County. He has introduced new ideas and methods to get the best out of his players, and his positive attitude and team spirit have been instrumental in the team’s revival. He is proud of what the team has achieved so far and is excited about the future. Warne’s drive, determination and commitment to the team are evident in everything he does, and he is the perfect leader to help Derby reach its full potential
