Darren Moore admits ‘physical and mental’ pain of shock exit’

Darren Moore was axed by Sheffield Wednesday in June just days after leading the Owls back to the Championship – but the Huddersfield manager has moved on from that exit

Darren Moore admits his “body just felt like a tonne” after leaving Sheffield Wednesday, but claims he is not resentful.

Moore guided Wednesday to the biggest comeback in play-off history, defeating Peterborough 5-1 at Hillsborough, following a 4-0 first-leg setback at London Road. The Owls eventually triumphed 5-3 on penalties.

Moore’s team finished their legendary play-off campaign by defeating Barnsley in the final, with Josh Windass scoring a 123rd-minute winner at Wembley. However, Moore was fired as manager just days later, in a shocking decision for football.

However, the former West Brom defender and boss refuses to reflect on his Wednesday exit, despite recalling the physical and mental consequences. Moore tells Mirror Football: “Yes, it was a surprise. Did I anticipate this to happen? No. Did something happen? Yes.

“But you understand that it part of the game. Did I expect it to happen at West Brom? Did it happen? Yes. And it is part of the game and I’ve learnt that it’s football.

‌”It took it out of me physically and mentally. My body just felt like a ton. Everything was really heavy. Your body is aching. But you end up picking yourself back up after thinking you don’t want to do anything. But no bitterness. Not at all.

“Because if you have bitterness and envy, you end up carrying it with you. All you ever want is to say the time we had there, we did a good job and the feeling it brought to everyone as a time. That is all I wanted, as a player or at a club.