Why Dean Hoyle is rightly sticking with Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN chairman Dean Hoyle has reiterated his faith in head coach David Wagner after a difficult start to the Premier League campaign for the Terriers.
Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.
Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner.

Third-from-bottom Town have yet to win in the league this season, taking just three points from their opening eight matches ahead of their return to action after the latest international break at home to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Saturday evening.

All told, Huddersfield have failed to win in their last 13 games in all competitions, with their last victory coming in a 1-0 home triumph over Watford on April 14, also the last time that they found the net on home soil.

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That win was Town’s sole success in 19 outings since late February, but Hoyle insists that Wagner retains his full backing.

Speaking on Sky Sports News to publicise the club’s tenth anniversary Pedal for Pounds charity bike ride, Hoyle said: “I will not sack David Wagner this season. I owe him a lot and I have seen him work behind the scenes.

“Whichever manager we could get into this football club, they would not try harder and try to find new solutions more than what David and his team do,” he said.

“So for me, all my confidence is in him and what he has done for Huddersfield Town is a wonderful job and it will continue.”

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Meanwhile, Town’s weekend opponents Liverpool could be without several of their leading lights for Saturday’s game.

Top-scorer Sadio Mane underwent an operation on Wednesday to repair a broken thumb after suffering the injury while training with the Senegal national team ahead of their recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

Fellow forward Mohamed Salah, undergoing treatment after picking up a groin injury on international duty for Egypt last Friday, is also a doubt.

Holland captain Virgil van Dijk continues to be hampered by a rib compliant, while midfielder Naby Keita suffered a hamstring problem playing for Guinea earlier this week.

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James Milner (hamstring) has also been receiving treatment during the international break.

Huddersfield also have a significant injury issue with midfielder Philip Billing being monitored after suffering an ankle injury while in action for Denmark Under-21s.

Billing, in fine form for Town this season and recently hailed by Wagner as a top Premier League player in the making, was injured during Denmark’s game in Poland last Friday.

The 22-year-old underwent a scan on Tuesday, although the problem is not thought to be serious.