Brentford manager Mark Warburton's future still uncertain

Brentford manager Mark Warburton says his future remains unresolved.

The 52-year-old will leave Griffin Park at the end of the season, even if the Bees win promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs.

"I've thought about my future but don't know where it is going to come," he told BBC London 94.9.

"All we can do is go as hard as we can, finish as high as we can and hope after the final kick of the season that the phone rings. It's as simple as that."

In February, Brentford announced that Warburton would depart the west London side after disagreeing with the club's long-term strategy.

Bees owner Matthew Benham is keen to increase the use of statistics in the club's recruitment of players.

Warburton was unproven as a manager when he was appointed Brentford boss in December 2013 but he guided the Bees to promotion last season, and the side have challenged at the top of the Championship this year.

"You hope the team have played in a manner which tells how we want the game to be played," he added.

"If that is enough to attract a future employer then great. If it's not, it's looking around."

Warburton has won 39 of his 75 games as Brentford manager

Bees chief executive Mark Devlin told Sky Sports News on Friday that the club have a four-man shortlist of candidates to replace Warburton.

"There is a difference of opinion between Mark and Matthew," he said.

"The crux of it is our recruitment strategy and the way we bring players into the club in the future.

"Because of the size of our club compared to others we can't compete when it comes to money so we have to be smarter."

Warburton, who was sporting director at Griffin Park before taking charge of the first team, is pragmatic about his forthcoming exit, but regrets he will not be able to help the current squad progress.

"I've been here four and a half years and signed a lot of the players here," he said.

"The most disappointing thing for me is that we haven't got the chance to keep on taking the group forwards.

"I think there is a lot of potential in the group to go a lot further than where they are now."

Brentford still have a chance of reaching the Championship play-offs, but need to beat Wigan at home on Saturday and hope other results go their way.

Should Derby lose at home to Reading then the Bees, who are currently seventh, would leapfrog them with victory. If Ipswich lose at Blackburn and Brentford beat the Latics - coupled with a goal difference swing of three goals in their favour - they could climb above the Suffolk club.

"There is no point us worrying about Ipswich and Derby if we lose our game," said Warburton.

"All we can do is focus on the task and securing a win. Then hopefully if we get a positive win, in terms of goal difference, we'll see where that leaves us.

"We need Griffin Park to be rocking as we know it can do. We have to play the type of football that keeps the crowd loud and excited."