Warne seeking utopia for Millers
AHEAD OF the 200th game in charge of his beloved Rotherham United, Paul Warne professes to a sense of pride – even though he is a manager who, by his own admission, is not usually concerned with statistics.
The Millers chief has been at the helm for almost four years and two months and is the ninth longest-serving manager across the English Football League and Premier League.
Not bad for someone who readily admits that he was not particularly hankering for the job when he vacated his role as fitness coach to initially take interim stewardship following the sudden departure of Kenny Jackett at the end of November, 2016.
The ‘accidental manager’ now boasts two promotions on his CV. In terms of achievements, that would be superseded if Rotherham manage to retain their Championship status this season.
As it stands, Rotherham – two points worse off than they were after 21 matches of Warne’s previous full campaign in the Championship in 2018-19 – have much work to do, but are fighting for their lives, as showcased in Saturday’s outstanding victory at fellow strugglers Derby County.
Warne’s class of two seasons ago took their survival battle to the penultimate game at West Bromwich. They were a side who gave everything and provided ‘sunshine to the soul’ of Warne and were unfortunate to go down.
Should this Millers group come out on the right side in 2020-21, Warne believes that the achievement would be ‘colossal’.
Warne, whose third-from-bottom side welcome a Stoke team boasting the best away defensive record in the division tonight, said: “I am aware of how difficult it (staying up) is.
“I looked at the league table (before Derby) and with three games in hand, if we could get four points from three games … I know that sounds defeatist, but if you look at our average at the bottom of the table – if you can average over a point per game, you have got a chance.
“Staying up would be colossal, to be fair. In fairness, the proudest season I had was when we got relegated from the Championship with Semi (Ajayi) and Will (Vaulks) and all those. I thought the group were great and gave everything.
“I will never forget the West Brom away game where all the Rotherham fans stayed to clap the team and I was really pleased with that. If we could go one stage more than that – and that was our goal at the start of the season – then great.”
Victory tonight, or even a point, could assume psychological significance for the Millers.
It would lift them out of the relegation zone as long as Derby, who host Bournemouth, do not better their result.
Level on points with the Millers and second-from-bottom Rams, are fourth-from-bottom Sheffield Wednesday, whose scheduled home game against Wycombe has been postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests. They will also have an eye on developments.
With at least two games in hand on a number of ‘big clubs’ around them, including Wednesday, Derby, Nottingham Forest, QPR and Birmingham, the Millers have a fighting chance.
Warne is realistic regarding the challenge ahead but his glass remains half-full.
He continued: “We look at the teams above us and QPR have just signed the West Brom striker (Charlie Austin) and he scores straightaway for them in midweek and Derby and (Nottingham) Forest will strengthen well.
“These are two massive football institutions. The fact we are competing with them is great and if we can manage to get three teams between us and the trapdoor, I think we have literally found football utopia.
“In the same way that Norwich and West Brom struggle in the Premier League, it is obvious what our problems are.
“But that does not mean we cannot be the best versions of ourselves and try and win matches and take an enthusiasm into it.
“If we were able to stay up this season, similar to Sheffield United and just think: ‘you know what, let’s just go for it’ and both us and Sheffield United stay up, it would be a good season for Yorkshire and I am forever hopeful.”
Warne might just afford himself a quiet moment of introspection ahead of stepping out tonight on such a landmark occasion for himself.
In modern-day management, 200 games is no mean feat.
The 47-year-old – whose name figures in the top 10 of the longest-serving managers in the country alongside fellow Yorkshire bosses Simon Weaver and Chris Wilder – observed: “Two hundred sounds a lot and I am really proud of it.
“Whenever it ends, I know I will have given it a good crack. I have not just dipped my toe in it, I have had a right good dip in the icy water.”
Last six games: Rotherham LWLLLW; Stoke LDDLLD.
Referee: M Donohue (Greater Manchester). Last time: Rotherham 2 Stoke 2, September 29, 2018; Championship.
I have not just dipped my toe in, I have had a right good dip. Paul Warne ahead of 200th game in charge of Rotherham United.