John Breckin offering Paul Warne concise and '˜pertinent' support at Rotherham

ROTHERHAM United's caretaker manager Paul Warne says bringing veteran former No 2 John Breckin in on an interim basis has proved a 'calming influence' this week.
Rotherham United's caretaker manager Paul Warne. (Picture: Scott Merrylees)Rotherham United's caretaker manager Paul Warne. (Picture: Scott Merrylees)
Rotherham United's caretaker manager Paul Warne. (Picture: Scott Merrylees)

Breckin played for the Millers in the 1970s and 1980s and has twice previously been assistant manager, first to Ronnie Moore and then Mark Robins.

Warne – who has been in charge since Kenny Jackett’s shock resignation just under a fortnight ago – played under both so knows the experienced 63-year-old, who had been working in the club’s commercial department, well.

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Bottom of the Championship Millers will host QPR tomorrow with an emotional Warne having apologised for his own perceived errors after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Burton Albion.

“I spoke to ‘Breck’ after I did that press on Saturday and he just spoke sense to me,” he said.

“He said I could only control certain things, not everything, don’t take it so personally – but I did – so he’s been a calming influence this week.

“In the team meetings, he doesn’t say a lot, but what he says is pertinent.

“He’s just a good sounding board for me.

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“I speak to (coaches) Hammy (Matt Hamshaw), Dibs (Andy Dibble) and I think I’m going the right way.

“But because of my relationship with ‘Breck’ as opposed to maybe other members of staff – and I don’t want to be disrespectful there – if he thought I was doing it wrong I think he’d tell me.

“Whether other ones who have just joined the first team would be as brave and say, ‘Warney is mental’ I don’t know.

“But I think he would pull me on it and say, ‘Look mate, you can’t be doing that at home, or this away from home’.

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“When he says to me he thinks I have got it right, it gives me confidence in what I’m doing and maybe that will permeate through to the players, too.

“He’s been a big part of what we’ve done this week. I considered him last week, but it was mayhem then.”

Warne said Scotland international defender Kirk Broadfoot successfully came through a reserve game on Tuesday and could return from injury for the first team in two to three weeks.

Goalkeeper Lee Camp trained partially yesterday and has a “very good chance” of lining up against QPR. Captain Lee Frecklington also hopes to return to boost the Millers’ chances of a much-needed win.