‘Nicky and I have burning ambition’
DANNY Cowley and brother Nicky led Lincoln back to the English Football League in 2017 and, having lost out in the League Two play-offs, won the title last term to take the club in League One.
Ironically, they also knocked Huddersfield out of the Carabao Cup this season with a giantkilling at the John Smith’s Stadium which partly led to the departure of Jan Siewert just days later.
Although initially they were keen to carry on with Lincoln, they have decided to join Town after chairman Phil Hodgkinson wouldn’t give up on his No.1 target.
The pair wrote an open letter to Lincoln fans explaining their decision.
“The past three-and-a-half years have been so unbelievably special. It has simply been a fairy tale for Nicky and I,” the statement on the Lincoln City website read.
“More than the trophies it has been the special relationships that we have created with so many people at all levels of the football club.
“So why leave, you ask...? Nicky and I have a burning ambition to challenge ourselves at the highest possible level.
“We don’t know if an opportunity as good as this one will come around again and we never want to live with regret.
“It has been the greatest privileges for Nicky and I, to manage Lincoln City FC.
“We will never ever forget the support we have had and know that we would not be in this fortunate position without all of you.” DANNY Cowley is the new manager of Town – much to the delight of chairman Phil Hodgkinson
Cowley, 40, arrives at the John Smith’s Stadium with brother Nicky as his assistant, with the Town chief saying they were top of a four-man shortlist pulled together by himself and the club’s head of football operations David Webb for the role following the sacking of Jan Siewert last month following a poor start to life in the Championship. “I am delighted to be able to welcome Danny and
Nicky Cowley to Huddersfield Town,” said Hodgkinson.
“From the outset, David Webb and I knew how important this next appointment is for the club.
“We undertook a very detailed and thorough process to identify the right person to lead the first team forward, first outlining the qualities we were looking for in the right candidate and then establishing which managers matched them.
“Our research, due diligence and work resulted in a shortlist of four candidates, and Danny Cowley was number one. His track record is there for all to see - he has led his previous teams to five promotions and several cup successes - and our character references revealed a man who is one of the most detailed managers around; meticulous in his preparation, and highly regarded by his peers. “Having approached Lincoln City and gained permission to speak to the Cowleys, they initially decided they wanted to continue the superb job they had done at that club and turned down the opportunity to discuss our job.
“At that stage we could have easily pursued one of the other options we had identified - all of which are fine managers - but David and I felt it We firmly believed that they were the best men to take us forward and we didn’t want to give up on them