Michael Carrick is now the longest-serving Championship manager after Derby County sacked Paul Warne on Friday.

The Rams took the decision to part with Warne with the side currently in the Championship relegation zone on a seven-match losing run in the league. They are currently two points from safety.

The decision moved the Middlesbrough head coach to top spot in the list of longest-serving managers in the second tier, having been in post since October 2022. Second on the list is Portsmouth boss John Mousinho, who was appointed at Fratton Park in January 2023.

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Warne was the previous manager in possession of the longest Championship reign before the decision to sack him. It comes just weeks before Derby are due to visit Boro and just after a transfer window in which Derby signed Matt Clarke from Boro and also attempted to sign Dan Barlaser, where Warne would have reunited with his former Rotherham United midfielder.

In the club statement, owner David Clowes said: “Paul is a man of great integrity and embodies the values we hold important at Derby County. No fan should ever forget his contribution in securing promotion to the Championship. I certainly won’t.

“However, results in football dictate decisions and we felt that to give us the best chance of retaining our Championship status, the time was right to make a change. Paul goes with our thanks, gratitude and best wishes. He and his family will always be welcome at Pride Park.”

First Team Coach Matt Hamshaw will lead the team in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at Norwich City. Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens has emerged as an early frontrunner to replace Warne, while former Boro player Gary O’Neil is currently among the names bookies have put on their lists after his recent sacking from Wolves.