Burton Albion confirm manager Paterson's departure
Burton Albion have confirmed the departure of manager Martin Paterson from the League One club.
BBC Radio Derby first reported last week that the 37-year-old former Swansea City, Barnsley and Inter Miami assistant manager had left the club.
Paterson's role at the Pirelli Stadium was his first job in charge of a senior side.
He took the helm from caretaker boss Gary Mills in January following Dino Maamria's departure in mid-December.
Burton were then 17th in the table, following which the Brewers won just five times in 20 games under Paterson - but it was enough to narrowly avoid relegation.
They ended up finishing 20th - one place and two points above the drop zone.
It was reported in March that Paterson had only been given a deal until the end of the season, but Brewers owner and chairman Ben Robinson insisted there were more permanent plans for the rookie boss.
However, the club have now issued an official statement to say that Paterson has left "following the expiry of his short-term contract".
Robinson said: "Martin took up the managerial position under very difficult circumstances in January.
"He worked extremely hard with the support of his backroom staff, which saw the club secure League One status. The club thanks Martin for his efforts."
After beginning his career with home town club Stoke City, former Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, Port Vale, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Northern Ireland striker Paterson worked as a number two in England and the United States, including a stint alongside Phil Neville in Miami.
When appointed, Robinson said he saw the "same potential" in Paterson that he did in Neil Warnock, Nigel Clough and Gary Rowett - who were all appointed by Burton in their thirties.
Even when in danger of relegation, long-time chairman Robinson maintained that a "long-term relationship" was the aim for Paterson.
Burton have now finished 9th, 12th, 16th, 16th, 15th and 20th in their six seasons back in League One following relegation from the Championship in 2018.
