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Huddersfield appoint 46 year old after battling it out with Barnsley

Huddersfield appoint 46 year old Michael Duff, who was last at Swansea, after they had been reportedly battling it out with Barnsley.

It comes just hours after journalist Alan Nixon revealed the two clubs had been tussling for his signature, in preparation for the 204/25 season.

Barnsley sacked head coach Neill Collins with one game of the regular season left after Neill Collins won 24 of his 52 games in charge. The Tykes were fifth at the time in League One but had been without a win in their past five matches and managed to qualify for the playoffs before losing to Bolton.

Huddersfield recently waved goodbye to Andre Breitenreiter, leaving by mutual consent following the club’s relegation from the Championship, after just two of his 13 games in charge. The German took over in February after Darren Moore departed, but won just two of his 13 games as the Terriers were relegated to League One on the final day of the regular season. His exit means Huddersfield were looking for a sixth permanent manager since Carlos Corberan left in July 2022.

HUDDERSFIELD STATEMENT:

Northern Irishman joins Huddersfield Town as Head Coach on contract until 2027

– Michael Duff named new Head Coach of Huddersfield Town
– 46-year-old had previously reached Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final
– Comments from Kevin Nagle, Mark Cartwright and Michael Duff

We are delighted to announce Michael Duff as the new Head Coach of Huddersfield Town!

46-year-old Duff has previously been in charge of Cheltenham Town, Barnsley and Swansea City, having departed the Welsh side in December 2024. His work with the Club will begin with immediate effect, ready for pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 Sky Bet League One season.

Having enjoyed a playing career spanning two decades with Cheltenham Town and Burnley, Belfast born Duff also represented Northern Ireland on 24 occasions from central defence. Joining the Burnley academy as coach after hanging up his playing boots in 2016, his first management role would see him return to another of his former sides in Cheltenham.

In charge for four years in Gloucestershire, he took the Robins up from Sky Bet League Two as champions whilst being named Manager of the Season, before guiding the club to their highest ever league finish at the end of the 2021/22 campaign as they ended the season 15th in Sky Bet League One.

In recognition of his work with Cheltenham, Duff was then appointed Head Coach of Barnsley in June 2022. Collecting three Manager of the Month awards in his debut campaign at Oakwell in Sky Bet League One, he steered the Tykes to the Play-Off Final where they were beaten narrowly by Sheffield Wednesday in extra-time.

Attracting attention from the Sky Bet Championship following 32 victories in 58 matches in South Yorkshire, Swansea City then moved to secure Duff in June 2023 after agreeing a significant compensation package to guarantee his release. Despite showing promise at stages in South Wales with one run of four consecutive victories the highlight in September and October – the only time the side would do so all season – Duff parted ways with the Swans in December 2023.

With close to 300 games at Head Coach to date, Duff will now take charge of the Terriers on a three-year contract ahead of the 2024/25 season. Details of Michael’s coaching staff will be confirmed in due course.

Huddersfield Town Chairman Kevin Nagle commented:

“Preparation for the new season is critical, and we are excited to have Michael join us in good time for the campaign ahead.

“We have huge ambitions both on and off the pitch, and every discussion we have held with Michael has given us confidence that he not only shares those same goals, but knows what it means to represent Huddersfield Town.

“I look forward to moving on together in Sky Bet League One with Michael, who has a track record that speaks for itself at this level.”

Huddersfield Town Sporting Director Mark Cartwright added:

“It was important we acted quickly ahead of the new season, and Michael’s enthusiasm about joining Huddersfield Town was evident from our first conversation.

“Michael has a proven record of giving squads focus and direction within transitional periods, having succeeded with both Cheltenham Town and Barnsley within Sky Bet League One in the recent past, with Swansea City paying a significant compensation fee to hire him, too.

“We are in a great position for the campaign ahead, and I look forward to seeing Michael get to work with the players when our pre-season begins on field next month. Discussions regarding our off field considerations are already well underway, with Michael bought into our vision of the future whilst contributing ideas and high standards of his own.”

Huddersfield Town Head Coach Michael Duff said:

“As soon as discussions started with the Club, I wanted to jump at the chance to be Head Coach of Huddersfield Town.

“Since leaving my last role, I’ve had time to reflect, recharge and focus on what the next challenge I wanted to take on would look like. Whatever was to come had to be right and be a good fit, and that is exactly what this feels like. I know that our supporters expect a certain level of commitment, desire, high energy and passion from their play, and those are the high standards I’ve kept for all of my sides.

“My talks with the Chairman Kevin, CEO Jake and Sporting Director Mark have been incredibly positive, and I feel like we’ve been on the same page since day one. I know the Club, the area and the fans from having crossed paths in the past, but now I want to get to know them properly from a place of belonging – and above all else, I want our supporters to have pride in their team again.

“This is a special Club with a magnificent history and exciting future, so it’s a real honour to have the opportunity to be part of that. I can guarantee that I will give my all for Huddersfield Town – that’s what I’ll be asking of my players too – and together alongside our supporters we have a pre-season and campaign ahead that we’ll be ready to attack.”

Welcome to West Yorkshire, Michael!

Join us back at the John Smith’s Stadium for the 2024/25 season – CLICK HERE to renew your Season Card today!

Barnsley also tried to appoint Dominik Thalhammer, however the stumbling block ended up being issues over his work permit caused that deal to collapse.

Huddersfield knew about the interest from Barnsley, so the Terriers are now trying to tempt Duff in, after they had previously held discussions with him a number of times before going with Andre Breitenreiter, says Alan Nixon.

Now Huddersfield have their man with Duff opting for them instead of a return to his former club.

This is what fans are saying before and after Huddersfield appoint 46 year old after battling it out with Barnsley…

@Petchaaaaaay: Happy with that👏 #htafc Last Season probably wasn’t the right timing… But now given the fact we are in LG1 and Duff knows it well… Solid Choice! 💪 Time to get it work! UTT! 💙🤍

@HarveyB_1: Looks like a good appointment and hopefully he gets the backing we need to get out this league

@joemorgan2000: Good luck at town, reading your comments about joining the club and the ambition you have about town fills me with confidence and hope that you’re here for the long haul and you take us forward as a club. Looking forward to the new season and how we go. UTT 🔵⚪️⚽️

@steclark86: Really not sure Duff would be the right appointment. Do we really want the guy who lost to Darren Moore at Wembley? Plus lots of talk about problems with the Swansea dressing room too. Would prefer Alex Neil or Nigel Pearson if nothing more exciting available #HTAFC

@jmchtfc: Duff is probably the best we can get at the moment. No good names are gonna want to join a club who have gone through 6 managers in 2 years. #htafc

@scottnixon001: Would be more than happy with Duff for league one. Knows the league and what’s required to rebuild a squad and challenge for promotion #htafc

@fred_htafc08: I think duff would be a sensible appointment, although he didn’t do great at Swansea I still think he would be the right man. He knows league one very well and has done well with clubs in the division. #htafc

@IrelandTerriers: If it does indeed turn out to be Michael Duff, then I think it’s as good a hire as we could’ve expected given that the job can hardly be considered to be attractive. He knows the League, has had some success and speaks well. He’ll have a big job on his hands alright! #htafc

@Joerudd_39: Personally think duff is a sensible choice, can’t afford to sack someone again or he’s putting the club and his own reputation on the line. We need someone who knows the league and has something to prove at this point in there managerial career, think it’s a safe bet. #htafc

@chefsmith28: I’d go Michael Duff all day long. I’d have taken him back when Moore left. Knows the division and has a good eye for talent. #htafc

@chefsmith28: If it’s Duff, I’ll be delighted. Would’ve taken him when Moore left. Knows league one and did amazingly well with Cheltenham & Barnsley and his record was decent at Swansea. #htafc

@CJGterrier: Echo this tbh. Don’t want to go anywhere near a manager over the hill such as Pearson, someone like duff would be ideal in this division. Of course Rosenior would be an absolute pipe dream but would show some serious intent, beyond that it’s just usual suspects innit

@Martynshaw: I wanted him in the summer, wanted him after Moore, and again want him now. I don’t understand how people can look at his record before Swansea and not be impressed. Swansea didn’t like his style, but I think town fans would.

@HTAFCStan: All signs point to Duff. Tbh I’d be happy with Duff. Proven at this level so should hopefully get us straight back up. #htafc

@casper_lad: So have we “missed out” on Duff, or has Williamson always been our target? We will probably never know, but it will be another bad decision for the board if they delayed things with Duff and then Huddersfield swoop in and snap him up. #barnsleyfc

@NETerrier: If it is Duff, I have no problem but do think he should be moving to the area. The culture change needed requires boots on the ground #htafc

@HTAFC_STATTO: Michael Duff it is then. It does very much feel like we are returning to the plan B option from last time. Goalposts have moved though since February to a point which makes him more an appealing prospect given our position. Getting it sorted this quick is huge.

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