Brentford prepare for play-off while Mark Warburton gets ready for his cards

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/06/brentford-mark-warburton-middlesbrough-play-off

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Mark Warburton hopes he can secure a legacy at Brentford by achieving promotion to the Premier League before he departs in the summer but the manager has admitted there are times when he feels frustrated and angry that he will not be at the club next season.

Warburton is to leave Brentford after the Championship play-offs following a disagreement with the owner, Matthew Benham, regarding the club’s long-term strategy. Benham, who has made millions as a professional gambler, is keen to implement a mathematical and statistical approach to transfers. It means Friday night’s semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough will be Warburton’s last at Griffin Park, having guided the club to a surprise fifth-placed finish in the Championship after leading them to promotion from League One last season.

The news of Warburton’s departure first emerged in February and the former City trader stated at the time the team’s performances would not be affected. Despite a minor initial blip, Brentford have certainly been as good as their manager’s word and finished on 78 points, securing a play-off place on goal difference.

Warburton believes the Middlesbrough tie is Brentford’s most important fixture for more than 75 years and he revealed his mixed emotions following the club’s decision to part ways once the season ends.

“It’s us, our legacy, it’s not about any individual but this is probably the most significant game for this club since pre-war,” he said. “Hopefully we have enough quality and enough desire to get over the line and reach Wembley and then deliver another good performance. It’s important not to give the impression we just scraped into the play-offs and we’re just here to make up numbers.”

Asked if his relationship with Benham had suffered in recent months, Warburton said: “No, there’s a sense of frustration on my side. I’m going to be angry at certain times but you have to deal with it and the focus has been on the group of players. I’m sure we’ll remain good friends.

“I think there’s a much greater emphasis on mathematical modelling than currently. There are certain aspects which I think have worked well at this football club, but Matthew’s the owner and the board have made a decision. That’s the route they want to take. I have to respect it. I don’t have to agree with it but I have to respect it.

“All we can do is do our job and hopefully that’s enough to open up new doors come the end of the season.”

Warburton, who helped found the successful but now defunct NextGen series for under-19s, worked in the City for a number of years and regularly made an individual daily turnover of £1.5bn-2bn.

He is expected to be in demand come the summer but admitted it would be difficult to say goodbye to his squad at Brentford. “Yes that’s a frustration and disappointment, two overriding emotions,” he said. “Because they’re a young group with lots more to come from them. That’s the main ache.

“I told them the truth [about being informed he would be leaving]: ‘This is the situation, gents, the club have made a decision. You can all feel sorry for yourself and do what everyone expects us to do and fall away, or recognise this is late January and we are in good shape – so maximise the opportunity or squander it. Take it or waste it. Your call, boys.’ They have responded well.”