THE TEUTONIC TERRIERS

Kloppelganger now a star in his own right after keeping the minnows up Andy Dunn: Could Wagner replace Wenger? PAGE 51

HE was wrongly seen as a Klopp clone when he arrived in England because he seemed so similar to his best pal.

He was German, had a beard and glasses, had coached at Borussia Dortmund, and he advocated the same high-energy football.

But by steering Huddersfield to Premier League survival, David Wagner has proved he is a top coach in his own right, a coach now wanted in England and Germany. Wagner has not copied the style of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (right, with his pal).

Instead this biology and sports science graduate has combined Teutonic savvy with Yorkshire grit.

Wagner knew Huddersfield could not compete against the Premier League’s established sides in terms of ability and instead focused on the basics.

His first priority was creating a Musketeer-type team spirit and he did this by taking his squad to an uninhabited tiny island in Sweden during pre-season in 2016. Denied of all forms of technology, they had to work together to fend for themselves, living off the land.

Wagner, 46, believes totally in the collective and he has no room in his squad for high-maintenance egos, no matter how talented the players.

His faith in his players makes them want to give everything for the team, and skipper Christopher Schindler feels they demonstrated this in their magnificent draws at Manchester City and Chelsea.

“You saw it in the last two games that everyone helps everyone out,” said Wagner’s fellow German. “Part of our identity is we work together. In terms of individual quality, we have no chance to compete against the teams in the top six.

“But we stick together. Everyone works for each other and if someone makes a mistake, someone else will block the shot.”

Wagner loves the fact that Huddersfield are nicknamed the Terriers because this sums up their underdog spirit for him. “We’re not the biggest, but we can still bite at people’s ankles and be aggressive,” he said. “We work under circumstances which are not even Championship circumstances. But part of our DNA, the Huddersfield Town DNA, is to try.

“How big you are doesn’t count. It’s about trying everything.”

Despite Wagner’s famous wild celebrations – he briefly lost his tracksuit bottoms at Chelsea – he is not as animated on the touchline as Klopp. Aaron Mooy claims this calmness gives them confidence. “He’s kept a level head all season,” said the Aussie playmaker. “He’s done an amazing job. He gives us all so much belief and confidence.” Huddersfield have survived despite scoring only 28 league goals.

Summer signings Steve Mounie, Laurent Depoitre (celebrating his goal against Chelsea on Wednesday, above) and Tom Ince scored 15 of those and Wagner could not succeed without the backing of owner and chairman Dean Hoyle, who has splashed out more than £50million.

Wagner is also a fine tactician and he impressed

Hoyle’s former head of football operations

Stuart Webber at their first meeting when he used chocolate raisins on the dining table to explain his philosophy.

Wagner’s favoured

4-2-3-1 formation combines defensive solidity with the ability to counter-attack quickly.

“We want speed in our game, everything at full throttle,” he said. “We want aggression, we like to press high, we like to play the ball, we like to show emotion.”

Schindler claims the enormity of their achievement will take time to register.

“It’s just unbelievable,” he said. “It’s going to need a few days or weeks until it sinks in. Everybody thought we were going down.”