Following Darren Moore’s dismissal, the former Premier League manager has been linked to a move to the Terriers.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Huddersfield Town have parted ways with manager Darren Moore after a disappointing run of results, leaving them precariously close to relegation.
- Academy manager Jon Worthington has been put in charge temporarily while the search for Moore’s successor takes place.
- Former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom is currently the favorite to take over at Huddersfield, with his close affiliation to the area and experience in the Championship making him a desirable candidate
After the Terriers fired Darren Moore on Monday, the search for a new Huddersfield Town manager is well under way.
In September, the 49-year-old took Neil Warnock’s place at the John Smith’s Stadium. The previous season, he guided Sheffield Wednesday to promotion to the Championship.
But with the team hovering just above the relegation zone after just three victories in 23 games across all competitions, Moore was fired from his position.
Academy manager Jon Worthington has been placed in charge ahead of their crucial matchup with Sheffield Wednesday at the bottom of the Championship, while Moore’s replacement is being sought out.
The next manager of Huddersfield will need to have a “big short-term impact, but also to fit with our longer-term strategy of building an attack-minded, progressive style of football over a number of seasons,” according to CEO Jake Edwards.
The latest news on Huddersfield Town’s next manager search
Although the process is still in its early stages, several qualified applicants have been connected to relocating to West Yorkshire.
According to the Lancashire Evening Post, Paul Heckingbottom, the former manager of Sheffield United, is currently the front-runner to take over at Huddersfield.
Heckingbottom, who was let go from Bramall Lane in early December, is the favourite to take over according to the bookmakers; BetVictor has him listed at 4/6 to fill the position.
Four managers have also lost their positions at Championship clubs this season: Alex Neil, who was fired by Stoke City in December; Michael Duff, John Eustace, Gary Rowett, and Michael Duff. Swansea City, Birmingham City, and Millwall, in that order, fired the other three.
Nigel Pearson, Gareth Ainsworth, and John Mousinho of Portsmouth are also named as possible candidates.
Ambitious move for Paul Heckingbottom could be the perfect replacement for Darren Moore at Huddersfield Town
Heckingbottom, 46, has become the early favourite despite having only been unemployed for a short while following his dismissal from Sheffield United in December.
The former Blades manager was in charge of the team for two seasons at Bramall Lane. His team finished the season with 91 points, missing out on promotion in the play-offs his first season and going up automatically the following one.
Heckingbottom was fired early in the month after his team’s Premier League standings were damaged by a 5-0 loss to Burnley.
The 46-year-old has managed in Yorkshire for the most of his managerial career to date. In 2019, he also had a stint at Scottish Premiership team Hibernian. He has also managed Leeds United and his hometown club Barnsley.
Heckingbottom stated that, should the proper opportunity arise, he is “more than ready” to return to management in a recent interview with Sky Sports. In 265 games that he has managed, he has a 40% win percentage.
The 46-year-old is aware of what it takes to win the Championship, but he might be willing to put in the work necessary to keep the Terriers in the division.
His strong connection to the region and his fervent personality will inspire the team to think they can finish in the league this year and advance to the next.
The Terriers have a difficult schedule coming up, which includes away trips to Southampton and Watford. After their match against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend, they will need to find a manager quickly to avoid having to play catch up to the teams in the standings.
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