"Extremely surprising" - Derby County view given as Paul Warne seals MK Dons switch | OneFootball

Paul Warne is the new head coach of MK Dons after being sacked by Derby County in February.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Paul Warne was named the new head coach at MK Dons on Tuesday evening, two months after he was sacked by Derby County after taking the Championship side into the bottom three.

It was not the return to the second tier that the 51-year-old would have wanted, with the division proving to be a tough one for him during his previous years in it with Rotherham United.

Nevertheless, with opportunities potentially available at Barnsley and Huddersfield Town in the summer, many may have expected the now current MK Dons boss to take on another challenge in League One, and add to his four previous promotions.

However, he has dropped down to League Two for the first time in his career, something that may come as a surprise to Derby supporters following his success with them in the third tier.

Verdict made on Warne's decision to take the MK Dons vacancy

Warne was sacked by the Rams in February, after his former side had gone on a run of seven straight losses in the Championship.

Despite this, he did write his name into history in the East Midlands by becoming the first manager to win promotion for the club at Pride Park, as they finished second in League One on 92 points in 2023/24.

Football League World has asked their Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, if he is surprised to see Warne take a job in League Two, with just four games to go this season.

He told FLW: "I’m very surprised to see Paul Warne has dropped down to League Two. Everyone knows his record in League One is up there with the very best that have ever been in this country in the third tier.

"So, to see him drop down to the fourth tier is extremely surprising, but he's obviously seen something in MK Dons that he likes and he was sold."

Shaun continued: "Maybe it was the journey that they're going to be on. So, I wish him all the best, but I'm very surprised to see him drop down to that level because I'm not saying he's a Championship manager, but he's definitely a League One manager.

"He's proven for years now that he can get any team out of that league. I wish him all the best, but I’m very surprised."

Warne's new challenge will be of interest to Derby and Rotherham

While he does have an impressive record in League One, Warne is venturing into the unknown with MK Dons, especially as he will be without two of his usual three backroom staff.

Matt Hamshaw was made the permanent manager of Rotherham just hours before the Buckinghamshire club made their own announcement, while Andy Warrington will be sticking with the Millers.

Richie Barker, who was Warne's assistant at his last two jobs, is joining him at MK Dons. But with just four games left, he will be spending this time evaluating his squad ready for the summer.

Derby supporters will be keen to see how his style of play works at Stadium MK, and if he can work his promotion magic in a division that is new to him in his coaching career.