Doubts over Brentford manager’s future

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Brentford say they are planning for “various possible eventualities” as manager Mark Warburton approaches the end of his contract.

The club issued a statement on Tuesday morning in response a newspaper report that Warburton faces the sack at the end of the season.

His one-year rolling deal at Griffin Park will be up for renewal in the summer and it was reported that club owner Matthew Benham plans to dispense with his services regardless of where the promotion-chasing Bees finish the campaign.

Benham is also reported to have met with Paco Jemez, currently coach of Spanish La Liga side Rayo Vallecano, having decided to take Brentford in a different direction.

The Brentford statement read: “The club is aware of some press speculation about the future of our manager Mark Warburton.

Warburton’s managerial record

markwarburton

Played: 59
Won: 33
Drawn: 11
Lost: 15

“Given Mark’s increasing profile within the game, we recognise that he will deservedly have turned the heads of other clubs.  As with every other sensibly run club, we plan for various possible eventualities.

“We are a progressive club who do talk to other people within the game to learn about other ways of doing things, and to consider novel strategic approaches to the game.

“Those conversations continue internally, and are part of a healthy dialogue.

“Football is sometimes called a village, and in any village, gossip and rumours can spread like wildfire, whether or not such rumours are true.

“It would not be in the club’s interests to disclose any of those discussions, but Brentford FC do want to confirm that Mark Warburton remains our manager.

“The team’s performance has been magnificent this season and that is primarily down to Mark’s leadership.  Mark will continue to lead the club in its push for Premier League football.

“At this critical stage of the season, we don’t propose to make any further statements in relation to these rumours.”

Warburton, 52, joined Brentford as a coach in 2011 and was the club’s sporting director prior to Uwe Rosler’s departure for Wigan in December 2013.

After suceeding Rosler as manager, he led Brentford to promotion from League One last season and they are currently fourth in the Championship.

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