FA Cup third round: Manchester City on Rotherham United boss Paul Warne's radar

[Hossam Taibi]

It is March 2017 and Rotherham United need a miracle to avoid relegation from the Championship after a 5-1 hammering at Queens Park Rangers.

Paul Warne, promoted from fitness coach to interim boss four months earlier when Kenny Jackett quit after just five games in charge, is set for another sleepless night.

"I was chewing my mouth with worry, spitting blood, the job was taking its toll," the former Millers forward told BBC Sport.

"I wasn't making an impact. I wasn't eating, I lost a stone in weight and I was living on caffeine.

"As a player, I always thought I was a bit of a fraud because my path into football was different to many others. I went to university, I played non-league and I didn't turn professional until I was 23.

"When I was appointed manager it felt like I had stolen someone's opportunity because management wasn't something I intended to do."

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Fast forward nearly two years and the 'fraud' is preparing to take on Manchester City's Pep Guardiola in the FA Cup third round on Sunday (14:00 GMT) after turning around Rotherham's fortunes with his relationship-based leadership.

In the past few months, Warne has got his squad to deliver talks in front of one another about loved ones, organised video messages from family members played before important games, sent text messages to staff apologising for defeats, and hosted a barbecue for players and their families.

"I speak to the players all the time about their families and I want them to have a relationship in the dressing room which means they genuinely care for one another," added the 45-year-old qualified teacher.

"If you know going into the trenches the other 10 players have got your back and care for you and your family, then it's a good thing."