Benitez: Wagner could get even better
Rafa Benitez has backed David Wagner to enjoy a stellar career in management, after revealing his admiration for the Huddersfield Town head coach.
The pair lock horns as the Yorkshire club stages its first top-flight match for more than 45 years after Wagner guided his unfashionable side from the lower reaches of the Championship to, albeit for 25 hours, the summit of the Premier League inside two seasons.
Having led Newcastle United back into the Premier League alongside today’s opponents, Benitez has experience of pitting his wits against the former Borussia Dortmund reserves coach, who has been linked with jobs at several top sides in both England and his native Germany.
“For me, Wagner is doing a great job,” said Benitez, whose side aim to bounce back from a 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend. “He’s already a good manager and he has the potential to be an even better one, but football can be so complicated and you have to wait and see if he can keep that consistency.”
Wagner, 45, turned down an opportunity to join his friend and former team-mate Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool to strike out on his own in management when accepting the Huddersfield post in November 2015, and Benitez added: “Their style is very similar. They’re quite offensive and quite aggressive in the way their teams play. Huddersfield have the same advantage as they did last season in that they have nothing to lose.”
Benitez is to relieve Jonjo Shelvey of his captaincy duties as the midfielder, who filled in for club captain Jamaal Lascelles against Spurs, starts a threematch suspension. The England interRicharlison,
Huddersfield Town Newcastle United
national has sought the help of a psychologist in an effort to curb a selfdestructive streak which resurfaced as he was sent off for treading on Dele Alli. His place will go to Spain Under-21 midfielder Mikel Merino, who will make a full league debut following his summer move from Dortmund.
“It’s not an easy thing to say Jonjo won’t be captain,” Benitez said. “He’s seeking help, that’s positive, and we will consider how to give him enough support. At the same time, he has to take responsibility because he knows he made a mistake.”