Paul Warne message to Derby County squad revealed as Matt Hamshaw responds to exit
Interim boss Matt Hamshaw has revealed how Paul Warne sent a message to the Derby County squad prior to their 1-1 draw at Norwich City and said the players were devastated by his departure.
Warne was sacked as head coach by Derby yesterday in what has been a dramatic and emotional 24 hours, with Hamshaw placed in temporary charge.
Hamshaw is a close friend of the departing Rams chief and watched as a last-gasp penalty from Jerry Yates cancelled out Josh Sargent's opener to end a run of seven straight league defeats.
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Asked if he had spoken to Warne after he departed the club on Friday, Hamshaw said: "I spoke to him six or seven times, and it's tough to take. Obviously, his family, relatives, his friends, and it sounds really bad, but we're at Norwich today, and I know how much this football club kind of means to him.
"The decision was made and he's called me a number of times. I've called him a number of times. I spoke to him just before we left, and he wanted the players to be really positive. He sent a message today, which is the kind of bloke he is, about going out and winning the game and putting things behind you and don't worry about him because that's the selfless person he is.
"The fact he done that shows the character of the fella. I know that when I go downstairs because I've not had the luxury of looking at my phone. He'll probably be the first one who has messaged or rung me."
Hamshaw was supported in the dugout by academy duo Jake Buxton and Bradley Johnson and goalkeeping coach Andy Warrington. Reflecting on the last 24 hours, Hamshaw explained the chain of events and hopes that Warne will remember for delivering promotion to the Rams last season.
"Obviously, it's been really tough," he said. "It ended up being a good 24 hours, but a really sad 24 hours, speaking personally.
"Obviously we got the news yesterday about Paul leaving and there are a lot of devastation in dressing room. It sounds like it's far-fetched, but people who know Paul - and forget about being a football manager - he's an unbelievable guy. The players were close to him so the fact that we had to try and pick the players up moving into this game today was tough.
"All of us had taken the training session, come back in and then Paul and and Richie Barker got a phone call to go to the chairman's house. We were meant to be leaving and then we delayed the leaving time. The chief executive then returned to inform me Andy what was happening and what they'd like to do moving forward.
"We discussed obviously bringing Bradley Johnson and Jake Buxton with myself and Andy. We then went in to speak to the players in the changing room. The chief exec spoke first then I spoke, and then we traveled down. What has been enjoyable this week has been the fact we have had the luxury of options, working on the game plan and working on the system. We had people back.
"We've gone into games in this run with no centre-backs or options off the bench for centre-forwards, no midfielders, and I think people are kind of quick to forget that. It's been really tough, but I just want to put it on the record that I want the Derby fans to remember Paul the manager who got promoted and not the Paul with this run of seven defeats.
"We've all been in football a long time. We all know if you lose a lot of games, it culminates in somebody losing their job and unfortunately, two of my best mates have lost a job, but I know tonight when I ring them up, they'll be absolutely buzzing that we've got a positive result and the club can now move forward."
