Derby boss Paul Warne bizarrely apologises for embarrassing ‘big-time’ airport move – as he expresses his regret and claims there is ‘nothing worse’ than what he did

Derby manager Paul Warne has issued a bizarre public apology for something he did when travelling home from his holidays this summer.

Warne, 51, was enjoying a well-deserved break after guiding the Rams back to the Championship last season following a second place finish in League One.

The former midfielder, who previously managed Rotherham between 2016 and 2022, revealed how he was recognised by fans during trips to Italy, Denmark and Benidorm this summer.

However, it was on a trip back from Scandinavia where Warne was left embarrassed by his actions, which he described as ‘big-time’, leading to him wanting to express his regret and apologies. 

As per The Mirror, Warne opened up on how on this trip he returned to East Midlands Airport, which he admitted was not ideal given his background as Derby boss.

Derby manager Paul Warne has issued a bizarre public apology for his ‘big-time’ airport move

Warne was enjoying some time away after guiding Derby back to the Championship

The 51-year-old explained how he regularly attracts attention from Rams supporters, and is sometimes even waved through passport control as a result.

But on this occasion, things became too much, with a significant queue late at night after a long journey leading to Warne doing something he wished he hadn’t.

‘This queue was colossal,’ he said. ‘It was snaking up and down, down and up. Then, paranoia took over. I’m looking at these people thinking they’re all Derby fans and they’ll be looking at me, on my own, and they’ll be working out where I’ve been and which player I’ve been watching. I can see it in their eyes. 

‘Then, right at the front, there was this fella. He’s standing on his own. Away from everyone, near the passport desks. He’s shouting, “Warney, Warney!”‘

Warne explained how he kept his ‘head down’ as to avoid attention and ignored the calls, before he realised it was one of his friends who had just taken a group of kids on a football tour. 

‘He’s at the front of the queue saying, “Sorry everyone, can you allow the kids to come through? We’re all one group. Thank you, yep, sorry…thank you,”‘ Warne continued.

‘All these kids are like ants, coming through legs, pushing past people, and he’s shouting at me, “Warney, come through!”. I’m thinking to myself, “I can’t.” Any Derby fans will be looking at me thinking, “What a big-time t***.”

‘Any Nottingham Forest fans are going to be happy thinking the same. But I’m so so tired…I join in with these kids. I’m shepherding them and I just followed them. And, you know, er, pushed my way to the front.

‘I’ve never done that massive-time thing. I’m sorry. There’s nothing worse.’

The incident took place at East Midlands Airport, which he admitted wasn’t an ideal location

Warne expressed his embarrassment at what he did and insisted there is ‘nothing worse’

Despite Warne’s regrets, he remains popular among Derby supporters after overseeing their return to the second tier following a two-year absence.

The Rams start their 2024-25 campaign with a trip to Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.