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Huddersfield name ex-Terrier, Yeovil, Millwall, Rotherham, Halifax player as head coach

Huddersfield name ex-Terrier, Yeovil, Millwall, Rotherham, Halifax player Danny Schofield as their new permanent head coach.

The club confirmed that Carlos Corberan, 39, resigned as manager months after leading the Terriers to the Championship playoff final last season.

Head of football operations Leigh Bromby said that Schofield will be in charge: “He knows the club, the players, our coaching programme, and our structure as well as anyone and is ideally positioned to give us continuity.

“Danny is highly rated and well respected across football and, this summer, turned down an opportunity to become head coach of a club in the top division of a European league because he believes in what we’re doing here.

“His work at our club has been outstanding, and he’s earned this opportunity.

“Danny will work with our fantastic staff, including Narcis Pèlach, as we prepare for our first game against Burnley on 29 July.

“I would like to thank Carlos for his hard work at the club. I’ve really enjoyed working closely with him over the last two years, and I wish him the very best for the future.”

CLUB STATEMENT:

An emerging coach with a long history at Town

– Danny Schofield is the new permanent Head Coach of Huddersfield Town
– Winger had a long playing career with the Terriers
– Schofield also has plenty of coaching experience

Our new Head Coach Danny Schofield is a man that needs little introduction to most Town fans.

After famously joining the Club from Brodsworth Welfare in 1998 for just £2,000 – and, reportedly, some training equipment – Danny went on to become 23rd in the Club’s all-time appearance charts, making 285 appearances and scoring 46 goals in a fantastic decade with the Club.

Having made his debut under Peter Jackson as an 18-year-old striker, it was under Lou Macari as a winger that Danny made a spot in the Town team his own in 2001/02. He saw it all during his time in the blue and white stripes, with his highlights including a successful penalty in the Play-Off Final shootout win over Mansfield Town in Cardiff in 2004.

A mercurial, talented player, Danny had the ability to produce the unexpected and received a farewell worthy of his contribution to the Club when he departed in 2008.

He subsequently played for Yeovil Town and then Rotherham United among others, but it was during his time in South Yorkshire with the Millers that he started his coaching journey.

Whilst still playing at a great level, Danny had the foresight to make his first steps into coaching – working with the Under-12s, Under-13s and then Under-14s at local neighbours Barnsley.

A playing move to Bradford (Park Avenue) in 2015/16 also tied in with his next step in coaching, as he played the year in a Player-Coach capacity.

Upon departing Bradford, Danny continued to play whilst starting work at Leeds United with their Under-16 group. His coaching prowess was noted at Elland Road, and he was soon promoted to work with their Under-23 group – assisting Carlos Corberán. The pair enjoyed almost immediate success together, steering their side to the Professional Development League title in 2018/19.

Danny then decided it was the right time for him to lead a senior Academy side and moved to Middlesbrough to become Under-23 Lead Coach.

However, when the opportunity to return to Huddersfield Town came up in February 2020, he jumped at the chance. Initially working with the Under-19s and the B Team, Danny was promoted to the First Team setup in August 2020 upon the appointment of Carlos Corberán as Head Coach.

42-year-old Danny, who holds the UEFA A coaching license as well as a degree in Exercise and Sports Science, has been integral to the senior setup ever since, working closely with the senior players as well as helping to transition B Team players into the fold. He also led the First Team on three occasions last season when Carlos Corberán was absent – the 1-1 opening day draw at Derby County, the 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers in January 2022 and the 1-0 Emirates FA Cup win over Barnsley in the same month.

As Head of Football Operations Leigh Bromby explained to BBC Radio Leeds on Monday evening, Danny has long ago been earmarked as the next Head Coach:

“Part of my role is to make sure that plans are in place, and Danny Schofield – who is our Head Coach, working alongside Narcís Pèlach, is something we’re really excited about.

“He has a similar philosophy [to Carlos Corberán] and he’s really aligned to what the Club want. He’s someone we can develop and progress, but he has more experience in English coaching than Carlos did when we appointed him.

“We feel like we’re in a strong position with Danny. He’s had interest since I’ve been at the Club and has been offered good First Team roles [elsewhere].

“When Danny came here, we always saw him as a future Head Coach. We’ve spent over two years working with him for when the opportunity came.”

SCHOFIELD SPEAKS

“First and foremost, it was a surprise to me. The call came late at night, and the decision made by Carlos to resign came as a shock to everyone.

“The Club had to move forward very quickly, I think there was always a plan in place at this Club, and yeah, I’ve been appointed as the Head Coach.

“My time with Carlos was very interesting, really enjoyable, we really connected in terms of seeing football in the same way, and I think that’s why we gravitated towards each other when we first met.

“We had a really good working relationship, and we’ll continue to have a personal one.”

Having had a successful playing career with Town, Schofield acknowledged the pride he feels at being able to lead his Club in our next chapter.

“Having played here for nine years, it’s a Club really close to my heart.

“It’s a big part of my family as well, so it’s a very proud moment and one that I feel very honoured to have. I’m going to do everything to make it a success.”

After hearing the news yesterday morning, Town’s First Team players got straight out to the pitch for a double training session, something Danny was keen to comment on.

“We wanted it to flow as smoothly as possible, obviously it’s a bit of a shock to the players when a Head Coach leaves, but we had the sessions in place and ready to go.

“The methodology I was a part of under the previous Head Coach, so that’s going to continue and develop and progress. The players were excellent yesterday in their sessions.”

Looking ahead to the 2022/23 season, Danny wanted to reassure Town fans that having worked so closely under Carlos, things on the pitch won’t look too different.

“It’s building on the things we did really well last season, improving certain areas where we feel as though we need to improve, because we’re always reflect and always trying to review and try and get better.

“We’re going to do those things and hopefully we can put those things onto the pitch.”

Fans reacted as Huddersfield name the ex-Terrier, Yeovil, Millwall, Rotherham, Halifax player as their new boss…

@Z_W_95: Good luck Danny, not your fault the way you have been given an opportunity.

@PogwardTweets: Got my backing Danny! #UTT 🔵⚪️

@htafc_ben: All I see is a YES man

@lsm_21: Thrown under the bus but I’ll back him till the very end. All the best, Danny🔵

@d5_rss: Surprised he’s taken the job. That’s 3 managers that have now walked out on Hoyle. That’s not a coincidence.

@Badboysdiehard: A great player and servant to the club over the years, unproven as a head coach though. Possibly a lack of ambition shown here by the club, time will tell #htafc

@VivWatson1: Good luck to Danny and I hope this opportunity is a great start to his management career. He’s got some quality players to nurture and a fan base that will back him to the hills if he shows the same ambition and talent he did as a player. Fill your boots Danny! 👍🤞🏼🍀

@htafc86: Really hope he picks up where Carlos left off I do have massive worries about the club. Lack of investment obviously the reason for Carlos going, this could be a season of looking over our shoulder. Really hope I’m wrong.

@arran_n: Back him 100% but fuck me what a joke club

@Leemorris__: Prove them wrong, Danny.

@wadannatt: All of my optimism for this season walked out of the door yesterday. Not convinced that this will work in the slightest. Good luck anyway Danny, you’re going to need it.

@Jordhy123_: Fave player growing up but this stinks man

@Samdixon0013: God I’m glad I haven’t renewed my season ticket… sacked by October. #htafc

@_JamieBrooke21: Is what it is, still unhappy with the situation but just need to support Danny and the team now, what’s done is done, one of the earliest and favourite players I really remember loving to watch, UTT #HTAFC

@MarcusWilko94: Let’s get behind him and build on last season 💪🏼🔵⚪️ #htafc

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