Liam Manning takes charge at Huddersfield Town after Lee Grant exit

Huddersfield Town have appointed Liam Manning as head coach, taking over with immediate effect ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Bradford City in his return to the dugout.

The 40-year-old took charge of Championship side Norwich City in the summer, but was dismissed in November following an 11-game winless run that left the Canaries in the relegation zone.

Prior to that, Manning had guided Bristol City to a play-off finish in the previous campaign, where they were beaten 6-0 on aggregate by Sheffield United in the semi-finals.

He has also managed Oxford United and Milton Keynes Dons.

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Honour

The Terriers parted ways with Lee Grant on Saturday night following a 3-1 defeat to Burton Albion.

It ended an inconsistent run of 12 games with just three wins that has seen the club hang onto the final play-off spot and slip away from the League One automatic promotion race.

Upon his arrival, Manning said: “Being named head coach of Huddersfield Town is an honour, with the size of this opportunity too great to turn down.

“I am thankful to have been given the trust of such a prestigious role, and I’ll do everything in my power to create some positive history of our own.

“In each discussion with Chris Markham and the club hierarchy, our wider hopes, desires and aspirations were not only shared, but how we wanted to achieve them was, too.

“Backed by a passionate and invested owner and chairman, there is an excitement and hunger that must be restored in everything that we do, and that work starts now.

“Inheriting an extremely talented and capable first team squad and staff, I look forward to working closely with them all as we strive to fulfil our potential.

“Having coached against Town on several occasions, I know the size and ferocity of the support here both home and away, and it’s our job to establish a renewed sense of pride both on the pitch and in the stands.

“We have a lot to still play for this season, and I’m truly excited to get going.”

Enthusiasm

Sporting director Chris Markham added: “Liam’s appetite and enthusiasm to take this opportunity on has been abundantly clear right from our very first conversation, and we’re delighted to welcome him to the club at such a crucial stage in our season, with so much left to play for.

“This recruitment process wasn’t just about finding a good coach, it was as much identifying the right person for Huddersfield Town to fulfil our ambitions both this season and beyond.

“An ambitious appointment that even six months ago would’ve likely been seen as unrealistic, Liam is an impressive person and professional, with his progressive and pragmatic approach to coaching sharing many of the ideals and characteristics that the Club, and most importantly our supporters, value highest.

“We are in the fortunate position that the brand of football and identity of team that our supporters hope for is in complete agreement with both the club and Liam’s outlook.

“Whether in the stands as a supporter growing up, being behind-the-scenes as an analyst or now as sporting director, those expectations haven’t changed and we’ve brought Liam to the club with that firmly in mind.

“An important decision in both the short and the long-term, this appointment at the head of our men’s first team allows us the opportunity to realign our football strategy across the entire club, with the same principles and beliefs applied here to be present throughout both our women’s first team and academy, reinforcing what it means to be Huddersfield Town.”

The club added that further details will be announced in due course regarding Manning’s coaching staff.

READ MORE: Huddersfield Town hope to get ‘back on track’ after sacking Lee Grant