‘Tremendous’ boss backed by Stewart

CHAIRMAN Tony Stewart says that Paul Warne can reflect on a ‘tremendous’ full first season in management regardless of what happens in Rotherham United’s Wembley final against Shrewsbury.

The Millers’ manager and his coaching team have picked up a demoralised first-team core by the bootstraps, replenished recruitment areas where necessary and created a winners’ environment in the space of a year and Stewart is effusive in his praise.

Warne is the ninth manager of Stewart’s tenure at the club, but his decision to hand the 45-year-old the reins on a permanent basis back in April 2017 is up there with his shrewdest moves to date.

At a point when the club desperately required drive and leadership Warne has stepped into the breach relatively seamlessly, with the dressingroom atmosphere and focus having been dramatically transformed in the space of a momentous 12 months.

Paying tribute to the impact made by Warne, he said: “He has had a tremendous year. I think he might quietly say he is surprised.

“It is down to him and all of his staff who have turned it around.

“Recruitment has also played a major part. I think if we had got (Jose) Mourinho last season, we would not have stayed up.

“Paul is a very bright individual who has got the gift of the gab and has got all the traits of being a psychiatrist, a doctor or headmaster.

“The players love him because he understands.

“He has been a player and fitness coach and it is not alien to him.

“We have given him the leadership and he has taken it with both hands.

“You cannot take it away from him; he is doing a cracking job.”