Cowley brothers determined to revive the dreams of Huddersfield Town

Inspiring: Huddersfield Town's Christopher Schindler celebrates winning the penalty shoot-out in the Championship play-off final against Reading at Wembley. Picture: Nick Potts/PA

After five promotions, they could be choosy about their next job, yet they opted for a club relegated from the Premier League with one point from their first six Championship matches. So why Huddersfield Town?

“We’ve always looked at clubs where we can add value and when we met Phil (Hodgkinson, the chairman) we felt it was possible here,” explains Nicky, technically elder brother Danny’s assistant but, in reality, his partner.

“We felt we were the right type of people to help and it is exciting to think Huddersfield have been to the Premier League before. Danny and myself are optimistic people and think, ‘Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could do that again?’”

Phil Hodgkinson: Persuaded the Cowleys to step in.

Before taking on the first relegation battle of their careers, the brothers did their research.

“You just want to understand what the club is about, what the identity of it is, what the people want and what makes them proud to support their team,” adds Nicky. “We felt it was a very good step for us.

“I’m able to watch games back so I’ve learnt a lot about the current playing squad from that, also the history of the club, and you have lots of networks with people who have a real understanding of the club. Then it’s listening to the people who really care about the club. We’ve spent time with every member of staff, listened to their journey and how they’ve found the club since they arrived.

“Now when I watch Christopher Schindler’s penalty at Wembley (in the 2017 Championship play-off final) I remember where I was. Memories like that make a club so special and you want to be part of creating more.”

I put it to Nicky that without a glittering international playing career the only way to get a job in Premier League management is by taking a Championship side up.

“Maybe in the past people would say that not having been a professional footballer meant it was not possible to get into professional management into League Two, but now we’re in the Championship,” he replies. “But we had to get promoted (into the Football League) with Lincoln, so you have to earn it.

“I’m all for working as hard as we possibly can to try to break down these barriers for other people who haven’t played professional football before.”