“There’s an adrenaline rush,” laughs the 50-year-old. “But, quite honestly, you’re just terrified for your life.”
Nineteen months on, that terror has subsided, replaced by a combination of pride and relief after promotion to the Championship ended one of the darkest periods in the club’s 140-year history.
Last weekend’s 2-0 victory at home to Carlisle saw off the challenge of Bolton, sealed second place and vindicated the faith placed in Warne by Derby’s saviour David Clowes.
The Rams had just been relegated to League One and were a week away from going bust when local property tycoon Clowes paid £55m to haul the two-time champions of England out of administration in the summer of 2022.
Four months later, with Derby’s finances still in rehab, he persuaded Warne to end a 20year association with Rotherham to lead the Pride Park rebuild.
Clowes was ecstatic to land the man he publicly dubbed the ‘King of League One’ following three previous promotions with the Millers. On the terraces, however, the reception was less enthusiastic.
“I remember one of my first press conferences,” Warne recalls. “I like to think I’m quite honest and quite moral and I wanted to be completely straight.
“I said ‘Look, I’m a relationship manager. I’m a slow burn. I have to get the lads’ trust before they’ll do what I want and I’m not going to get that on day one. I’m not the guy who comes in with a stopwatch and a whistle and everything changes overnight’.
“People couldn’t have been more underwhelmed and I realised then that I was a long way out of my comfort zone.
This story is from the May 05, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 05, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSY CURTIS GETS HIS REWARD
DERBY County have tied influential centre-back Curtis Nelson down to a new contract that will keep him at Pride Park until 2026.
STATS ALL RIGHT FOR STUDIOUS MK BOSS SCOTT
MK Dons boss Scott Lindsey has highlighted the importance of statistics following his side's recent good form.
SMITH'S FRATTON STUNNER IS TOPS!
MICHAEL Smith's stunning strike for Sheffield Wednesday against Portsmouth has won him the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award for October - but he admitted it could have gone 'over the stand'!
RED DRAGONS SUFER TRIPLE INJURY SETBACK
WREXHAM'S pursuit of a historic promotion from League One has been hit by a triple injury blow.
SMART GUY LAUNCHES AI PLAN TO AID CLUBS
FORMER Rotherham, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday defender Guy Branston has launched a new AI venture that he says will revolutionise the way clubs engage with their fans.
STRIKER BISHOP JUST SO GLAD TO BE BACK
COLBY Bishop has expressed his delight at making an emotional goalscoring return for Portsmouth following open heart surgery this summer.
HUNGRY JAMIE'S IN GOAL GROOVE
Prize winner is followed by Cup heroics
TASTY TERRIERS TAKE A BITE OUT OF UNITED'S YOUNG GUNS
HUDDERSFIELD Town booked their place in the last 32 of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy in style with a thumping 4-1 home win against Manchester United U21s.
KENNY RECEIVES PRAISE OF BOSS BONNER
GILLINGHAM manager Mark Bonner says he will miss leaning on the experience of \"brilliant\" mentor Kenny Jackett.
WEAVER HAPPY TO GIVE ACE ENO HIS SHOT
HARROGATE Town boss Simon Weaver is hoping new striker Eno Nto can solve the Sulphurites' woes in front of goal.