Coach taunts critics as Premiership fairytale comes true

DAVID Wagner’s arrival at Huddersfield Town was greeted with scorn, but just 18 months later the German has silenced the critics by masterminding his club’s fairytale promotion to the English Premier League.

When Wagner was plucked from his role as Borussia Dortmund’s reserve team coach by Huddersfield owner Dean Hoyle in November 2015, many pundits claimed his lack of experience in the cut-throat world of the second-tier Championship meant the appointment was doomed to failure.

Ian Holloway, then a television pundit and now Queens Park Rangers manager, labelled Huddersfield candidates for relegation at the start of the season.

But Holloway and the rest of the doubters underestimated the urbane Wagner’s pioneer spirit, inspirational personality and tactical prowess.

Having revitalised his team with a host of youngsters signed on loan from the Premier League, Wagner rewarded Hoyle’s faith in spectacular fashion at Wembley on Monday as Huddersfield beat Reading 4-3 on penalties to return to the top flight for the first time in 45 years.

Winning promotion, which is worth £170-million (R2.8-billion), was a sweet moment for Wagner and, drenched in champagne from his players’ celebrations, he arrived at a post-match media conference keen to remind his critics how far he had come in such a short time.

“By the way Ian Holloway, all the best for next season,” Wagner said.

“I know a lot of the pundits wrote us off. I’m happy to prove experience is not essential.

“Experience is important, but if you have passion and ideas you can match it.”

Wagner’s triumph is even more impressive when you consider Huddersfield’s budget ranked among the lowest in the second tier.

Turning an unglamorous former mill town into a host venue for the star-studded lineups of Chelsea, Manchester United and company is the stuff of dreams.

“It’s special. I’m so proud for the players and so happy for the whole town,” Wagner said.

“I told the players they are heroes. They had the opportunity to become legends and they have done it.”

When the fixture list comes out, Wagner will look for Huddersfield’s dates with Liverpool, whose manager, Jurgen Klopp, has been a close friend since they worked together at Dortmund. – AFP