Derby manager Paul Warne has issued an unusual public apology for his actions while traveling home from his summer holidays.
Warne, 51, had been taking a well-earned break after leading the Rams back to the Championship last season, following their second-place finish in League One.
The former midfielder, who managed Rotherham from 2016 to 2022, shared that he was recognized by fans during his travels to Italy, Denmark, and Benidorm over the summer.
However, it was on a return trip from Scandinavia that Warne found himself embarrassed by what he described as “big-time” behavior, prompting him to express his regret and offer an apology.
According to *The Mirror*, Warne explained that his return to East Midlands Airport, considering his role as Derby manager, wasn’t an ideal situation.
The 51-year-old recounted how he often draws attention from Rams supporters, and sometimes even gets waved through passport control because of it.
However, on this particular occasion, things got overwhelming. Late at night, after a long journey, Warne found himself stuck in a long, winding queue, leading him to do something he later regretted.
“The queue was enormous,” he said. “It twisted back and forth endlessly. Paranoia set in—I started imagining that everyone in the queue were Derby fans, eyeing me, trying to figure out where I’d been and which player I was scouting. I could see it in their eyes.
“Then, there was this guy at the front of the queue, standing apart from everyone else near the passport desks, calling out, ‘Warney, Warney!'”
Warne explained that he kept his head down, trying to avoid attention, and ignored the shouts, only to realize that it was one of his friends who had just led a group of kids on a football tour.
“He’s at the front, saying, ‘Sorry everyone, can you let the kids through? We’re all one group. Thank you, sorry… thank you,'” Warne continued.
“All these kids start streaming through the crowd like ants, squeezing past people, and he’s shouting, ‘Warney, come through!’ I’m thinking, ‘I can’t.’ Any Derby fans would think I’m acting like a big shot.
“Any Nottingham Forest fans would be thrilled to think the same. But I was just so, so tired… I ended up joining the kids, helping shepherd them, and, well, pushing my way to the front.
“I’ve never done something so big-time before. I’m sorry. There’s nothing worse.”
The incident occurred at East Midlands Airport, a location Warne acknowledged was far from ideal.
Warne admitted feeling deeply embarrassed by his actions, stating there’s “nothing worse.”
Despite his remorse, Warne continues to be well-regarded by Derby fans, having led the team back to the second tier after a two-year absence.
The Rams will kick off their 2024-25 season with an away game against Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.