Derby remove Liam Rosenior as manager and target Rotherham’s Warne

Liam Rosenior has been relieved of his duties as interim manager at Derby County, with the League One club keen on appointing Rotherham’s Paul Warne as his replacement.

Derby’s owners have been evaluating Rosenior’s position since taking the club out of administration in July and have made an approach for Warne.

Warne has done an impressive job at Rotherham, who are eighth in the Championship, and it is unclear whether he would be willing to drop a division. Derby are outside the playoff places on goal difference. They lost to Plymouth and Lincoln this month but beat Wycombe last Saturday in their most recent match.

For now, Rosenior remains on the Derby staff as the club search for a permanent successor to Wayne Rooney, who resigned in June. Rosenior, who joined as a specialist first-team coach under Phillip Cocu three years ago, had worked as assistant to Rooney. Rosenior was placed in interim charge after Rooney’s exit before the takeover but David Clowes, the local businessman and owner who rescued the club amid the threat of liquidation, always intended to consider all managerial options.

Warne has led Rotherham to three promotions since taking charge of the club, for whom he had two spells as a player, in 2016. Warne joined Rotherham as a fitness coach after retiring from playing and has worked wonders on a modest budget. Rotherham were among the favourites for relegation but if they win their game in hand against bottom club Coventry City they would jump to fourth. Warne has also been linked with the vacancy at Huddersfield Town, who sacked Danny Schofield last week.

Derby and Rosenior will hold talks in the coming days with regards to his future. Rosenior has made no secret of his wish to be a manager and previously made clear his desire to take permanent charge at Derby.