Wagner defends celebrating last-gasp winner which angered Monk

(Photo: Action Images)

Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner defended celebrating Michael Hefele’s late match-winner with his players, as the German clashed with Leeds boss Garry Monk in yesterday’s thrilling Yorkshire derby.

Wagner ran along the pitch to join his Terriers in celebrating Hefele’s 89th-minute goal jubilantly.

Upon his return to the technical area Monk stepped across Wagner’s path and bumped shoulders with the German triggering a confrontation among the rest of the backroom staff and players.

The Terriers boss defended his action which saw him sent to the stands along with Monk, saying, “In British culture it seems to be disrespectful if I celebrate with my players – it is different in Germany to be fair.”

Adding: “I celebrated with my players in the corner and I wanted to jog back into my technical area, but Garry tried to nudge me.

“It isn’t something that I usually do but if there was a moment where this could happen, then it was this moment.”

With the match finishing 2-1 the play-offs rivals exchanged places in the Championship table – Huddersfield 4th, Leeds 5th – and at the full-time whistle Monk labelled Wagner’s conduct as ‘disrespectful’.

“I can only speak for myself,” Monk said. “I hold the highest values in my life – humility, respect and class. That’s what I hold highest and I make my players hold that. If someone doesn’t want to act like that then that’s their prerogative. It doesn’t mean that we all have to agree with it. That’s all I can say about the situation.

“My technical area is my technical area, whether I’m home or away. You behave properly in those situations but when someone comes across and they run into you, what can I do about that? I’m not making a big deal out of it but I can only speak about the values I hold myself to and hold my team to. I make sure I respect those values for them.”

Commenting on losing ground to a play-off rival, Monk added, “I can’t be critical of my players. I’m very proud of them.”

Bolted: David Wagner sprints down the sideline towards the corner flag to join in his team’s celebrations (photo: Action Images / Craig Brough)

Welcome mat: Garry Monk steps across Wagner upon his return from celebrating (photo: Action Images / Craig Brough)

The spark… (photo: Action Images / Craig Brough)

The fire… (photo: Action Images / Craig Brough)