The Championship side have enjoyed a terrific return to the second tier having won promotion under Warburton last season, currently occupying 4th in the league.

But a report in the Times newspaper this morning has suggested that the club are looking for a replacement for Warburton at the end of the season, regardless of whether or not he wins promotion.

The statement on the club's 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."

The club then went on to confirm that they are behind Warburton and want him to guide the club to promotion this season,

"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." it said.

 
"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."