Brentford refuse to deny Mark Warburton sack rumours

Brentford have refused to completely deny speculation claiming that manager Mark Warburton will be sacked.

The report suggested that the Championship club will dismiss the 52-year-old at the end of the season, even if he leads them into the Premier League, with Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez replacing him.

The West Londoners have stated that Warburton, who guided them to promotion from League One last term, is still their manager.

"The club is aware of some press speculation about the future of our manager, Mark Warburton," a statement on Brentford's official website read.

"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."

Warburton has been in charge at Griffin Park since 2013.