Mark Warburton 'to leave Brentford at end of the season'

Manager Mark Warburton will leave Brentford at the end of the season, according to Sky sources.

The promotion-chasing Championship club were expected to make a statement about Warburton's future on Friday afternoon, but that is now expected on Monday.

Warburton has been one of the great success stories of the season. He guided the Bees into the Championship last season, and they have exceeded all expectations by challenging for promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

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It was reported on Tuesday that the 52-year-old will not have his rolling contract renewed at the end of the campaign, even if he leads the side into the top flight.

And Brentford executives reportedly met with Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez last week to discuss the possibility of him taking over as manager in the summer.

Brentford responded to the reports by releasing a statement which did not refute the claims and also indicated they were concerned about the possibility of losing Warburton to a bigger club.

The statement 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."

Warburton himself told Sky Sports News HQ: "The club have made a statement and everything is contained within that statement.

"For me, my only focus is obviously the team. The team is focused and there are 17 games to go now."

On Wednesday the club's owner, Matthew Benham, tweeted: "It has been a very difficult 24 hours. I will try to explain the situation more in the next couple of days.

"I've been a genuine fan since 1979 and try to honestly act in the best long-term interests of the club."

The situation is now expected to be explained in full on Monday, with Warburton expected to depart in the summer.