Mark Warburton’s long-term future as Brentford manager is unclear after the club hinted they have been planning for life after the popular Bees boss.
Reports suggest the 52-year-old, who has won 33 of his 59 games in charge of the club since taking over in December 2013, will leave the club at the end of the season after his one-year rolling contract expires with Rayo Vallecano boss Paco Jemez tipped to take over.
And the club, in a statement released ahead of tonight’s Championship meeting with Watford, revealed discussions with 'other people within the game to learn about other ways of doing things, and to consider novel strategic approaches to the game,' which could suggest a succession plan is being put in place.
The statement read: “The club is aware of some press speculation about the future of our manager, Mark Warburton.
“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.”
