Wagner wants favour from his pal Klopp

DAVID WAGNER hailed his Huddersfield Town players as legends after a Championship play-off final victory over Reading saw the Yorkshire club promoted to the top flight of English football for the first time since 1972.

Wagner said: ‘I said to the players before the game that they are already heroes because they were fifth in the league. In football, hero to zero can sometimes be only a week but they are now legends. Everybody will remember what this group of players has done.’

Wagner hit back at pundits such as QPR manager Ian Holloway who had predicted that Huddersfield would be relegated at the start of the season, and labelled the success as a fairytale. The manager then paid tribute to the investment and dedication of chairman Dean Hoyle — a local businessman who grew up watching the club from the terraces.

Wagner joked: ‘By the way, Ian Holloway, all the best for next season. I know a lot of the pundits wrote us off at the start of the season.

‘I’m happy that he gave me the opportunity to motivate my players. I am especially pleased for the chairman who backed all my ideas. We set no limit.’

Only 13 years ago, Huddersfield were in the fourth tier of English football and chairman Hoyle believes his club’s success should give ‘ hope to all smaller teams’. Hoyle, who has been chairman since 2009, said: ‘From supporting this club since 1979 on the terraces, to making a few pounds, putting it in this football club and getting us to the Premier League — it’s a dream come true.

‘We know it’s going to be difficult in the Premier League but we’ll give it a crack. I’m immensely proud. It’s been the most wonderful season.’

Wagner knows that he has a busy summer ahead as he looks to build a squad capable of staying in the Premier League.

The 45-year- old German, who worked with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, will attempt to keep on- loan Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward, who saved a penalty in the shootout.

‘I have a lot of calls to make,’ he said. ‘I will speak with Jurgen about Danny and I will meet Jurgen on the sidelines in the Premier League. ’

Reading manager Jaap Stam pledged to remain at the club and launch another push for promotion. The Dutchman said: ‘I have a contract and nothing is going to take me away.’

Stam also conceded that his players were hurting, adding: ‘It’s hard, but you need to feel that experience if you want to get there again.’