RAFA: TOWN BOSS COULD BE KLOPP MK II
RAFA BENBENITEZ reckons David WagneWagner has the makings of Jurge Jurgen Klopp the Second. NNewcastle boss Benitez ( (left)le and Huddersfield c counterpart Wagner, wt wt who meet head-on today at the John S Smith’s Stadium, e established a rapport as they both won pr promotion last season. TThe Terriers marked their first-ever Premier League game by wiping out Crystal Palace 3-0 in Selhurst Park.
And former Liverpool chief Benitez recognises the influence current Anfield boss Klopp has had on protege Wagner, who worked under him at Borussia Dortmund.
Benitez said: “Their style is very similar, in terms of German managers, because they’re quite offensive and quite aggressive in the way their teams play.
“I think Wagner is doing a great job. If they continue winning and doing well, they’ll say he’s a great manager.
“But if they lose games and cannot progress, they’ll say, ‘OK, we’ll see what happens’.
“He’s already a good manager and I think he has the potential to be a better manager. But football is so complicated and you have to wait and see if you can keep your consistency.’’
Benitez insists the pressure on Wagner and the Terriers is much less compared to the huge weight of expectation he has to bear on Tyneside.
The Spaniard said: “They have the same manager, same approach and same advantage as last season – because they have nothing to lose.
“They’ve signed nine or 10 players, but will they change a lot?
“Maybe not, but if they have better players, they’ll be more dangerous.’’
Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot believes Huddersfield are potentially an even tougher proposition than Tottenham, who won 2-0 at St James’ Park a week ago.
The Republic of Ireland international said: “We played Huddersfield last season and they’re a fantastic team.
“Their intensity and pressing are very high, so we know to expect a tough game.
“It might even be a tougher game than Spurs last week – even though it might not look that way on paper.’’