Webber exit moves a step closer

HUDDERSFIELD Town have confirmed Head of Football Operations Stuart Webber has been placed on gardening leave amid speculation linking him to Norwich City.

Speculation has been mounting over the past week the 33-year-old is the frontrunner for the Canaries’ new sporting director role.

During his time in West Yorkshire, Webber has transformed Town’s scouting operation and was also instrumental in the appointment of boss David Wagner in 2015.

Webber was previously head of recruitment at Wolverhampton Wanderers and, before that, spent three years as director of recruitment at Liverpool FC, helping sign a 15-year-old Raheem Sterling.

In a behind-the-scenes shakeup at Carrow Road, the Canaries have made the chief executive role redundant with the role expected to help find a new manager after Alex Neil was sacked 10 days ago.

Today’s statement from the club simply read:

‘In response to recent speculation in the media, Huddersfield Town can confirm that Head of Football Operations Stuart Webber has expressed a desire to leave the football club.

‘As a result, Stuart has been placed on garden leave until the matter is resolved.

‘Huddersfield Town will make no further comment on this situation until its conclusion.’

But speaking during his press conference ahead of the Burton Albion game, Town boss Wagner said: “I am not disappointed about this – this is football business, he has made his decision.

“It is merely another opportunity to demonstrate the team are independent from everything around them – it won’t affect the next nine games. “Our focus is on something much more important than Stuart Webber.” During his time in West Yorkshire, Webber has transformed Town’s scouting operation and was also instrumental in the appointment of boss David Wagner in 2015. And although appearing philosophical about the expected departure, Wagner was disappointed at how it appears to have materialised. “Everyone knows how important he was in bringing me to the club but it was the chairman who made the decision to appoint me. “Stuart did a lot in this job but like everyone who has done something for this club, it would have been nice to leave via the front door

“Obviously he has decided to use another door but that is his decision”.

Webber was also fundamental in the summer overhaul of the playing staff which saw a total of 13 new recruits join the club with fears his imminent departure may scupper plans for the next transfer window.

However, Wagner was quick to refute the claims – insisting it was the uncertainty of Huddersfield Town’s divisional status which would be more likely to hinder progress.

“We always plan and recruit together – often I would give him advice and he would try to make it happen – sometimes he gave me some names to follow,” added Wagner.

“The problem this season is not who the sporting director is, but the fact we don’t know what division we will be playing in next year.

“It’s a good problem which we will solve when the time occurs”.