WAGNER PLAYS LONG HAUL GAME

Terriers boss signs new contract until 2021

DAVID WAGNER has committed his longterm future to Huddersfield after agreeing a new £7m deal.

The German coach has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the John Smith’s Stadium until 2021.

The 46-year-old has been in demand after masterminding the Terriers’ rise from the depths of the Championship to the Premier League, which culminated in beating the odds to secure their topflight status earlier this month.

Wagner earned a £2.5m bonus for pulling off the stunning survival act after his side had been written off as no-hopers.

Now his salary will be bumped up to more than £2m a year.

Jurgen Klopp’s former Borussia Dortmund right-hand man had been linked with a return to the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, Huddersfield owner and chairman Dean Hoyle had always been confident of tying his head coach down to a new long-term deal.

Wagner said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision to stay because we have something special here. We’ve achieved some incredible things together in my time at the club and I’m really excited about the future.

“We still have a lot of work to do as we adapt to life in the Premier League, but this club and its people have the ambition, desire and attitude to take the challenge on.”

Wagner’s No.2 Christoph Buhler and first-team coach Andy Hughes have also agreed new deals until 2021.

Commitment

Huddersfield beat Reading on penalties in the Championship play-off final 12 months ago to secure their return to the top flight after 45 years and a first season of Premier League football.

After spending just a single week in the relegation zone all season, the Terriers sealed survival with gritty draws against title-winning Manchester City and deposed champions Chelsea in the space of four days at the start of May.

Hoyle said: “I never had any doubts about David’s future with us. Time and again he’s shown his commitment to the club as we have demonstrated our commitment to him.

“David is a very talented head coach and I understand why he is so talked about and soughtafter, given the things he’s achieved here.

“He’s played a huge role in transforming Huddersfield Town into the club it is today and we’re looking forward to the challenge of establishing ourselves in the Premier League together.”