Happy returns: Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner eyes happier outcome from second Wembley visit

“I had my personal hearing there after the incident I had against Leeds,” laughed the former Borussia Dortmund reserve team coach, banned for two games and fined £6,000 by the Football Association following his touchline clash with counterpart Garry Monk at the end of February’s derby Championship win over Leeds United.

“That is the only time I have been. Borussia Dortmund were there (for the 2013 Champions League final) but, unfortunately, I was on holiday. I booked my holidays four months before the final – no-one expected at the time that we would be in the final, and I wasn’t able to change my holiday plans.”

If Wagner is in need of some tips as to what managing at Wembley is like, best mate Jurgen Klopp could be a good starting point.

Not only was the German in charge of Dortmund when they lost that Champions League final four years ago to Bayern Munich but he also took Liverpool back to the national stadium in last year’s League Cup final.

Surely Klopp would be worth a call? “No, because he wasn’t successful,” is the quick-as-a-flash reply, followed by the hearty laugh that has become such a familiar feature of daily life at Huddersfield’s Canalside training ground.

“We haven’t spoken about Wembley. We spoke after the semi-final (win over Sheffield Wednesday) and I know he supports us for the final.

“Even I, as a German, know how big Wembley is. When compared with the Maracana – it is probably the most traditional, biggest, greatest stadium where you can be involved as a footballer and a manager. And now we have a competitive football match, and this is excitement enough to be ready for this game.”

THAT incident: Garry Monk confronts counterpart David Wagner after he celebrated his team's winner on the pitch with the players.

Wagner’s transformation of Town’s fortunes in his first full season at the helm has been nothing short of remarkable.

Leading a club whose four previous seasons at this level had brought 19th, 17th, 16th and 19th-placed finishes to the play-offs final must make the 45-year-old a contender for ‘Manager of the Year’.

It has also alerted a host of clubs to his ability, and fuelled speculation over a possible move away from the John Smith’s Stadium if Town fail to win promotion today. Not that this will divert his focus from the task of taking Huddersfield into the Premier League.

“It makes no sense to think about it,” he said. “We just have to focus on Reading.”