Powell’s pride at landing Terriers job

NEW Huddersfield Town manager Chris Powell has spoken of his pride at being handed the reins at the John Smith’s Stadium - and has vowed to turn the Terriers into a ‘good competitive club’ amid the relentless environment of Championship football.
Chris PowellChris Powell
Chris Powell

The 44-year-old has been speaking to Huddersfield for the past ‘two or three weeks’ shortly after the departure of someone he knows well in Mark Robins - and along with several other candidates had two interviews with the Town board.

Powell was officially unveiled today, with the former Charlton manager – controversially sacked back in March – signing a rolling contract with the club and his former assistant at The Valley, ex-Hull City winger Alex Dyer, coming in as his No 2.

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Powell said: “I am extremely happy to be here. When I had my first interview with the chairman and the chief executive and director of football (opperations), I was very impressed with their vision of what they see for Huddersfield Town.

“It carried on again to another interview and I am very honoured to be the chosen man to lead Huddersfield Town forward.

“I think it (timing) was right to bring it to this point in the international break where the players will recharge and it will give the chosen applicant enough time with the team leading up to the next Championship game.

“It has been a long time. But I am very honoured to be the one sitting here.”

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He added: “I just want us to be a competitive side in the Championship. It’s been a tough two seasons, but we have remained a Championship club. We just want to overachieve as such and move forward and be a good, competitive side in the Championship.

Steve Thompson, who arrived in the summer at Town after being recruited by former boss Robins from Blackpool, will also assist Powell with the existing backroom staff remaining the same.

Town had been under the command of caretaker boss Mark Lillis for their past six matches which have seen them win twice, draw one and lose three times.

Powell says that Town possess ‘a good squad’ and one capable of climbing the Championship table after an indifferent start to the campaign.

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And he feels coming into a club straight after the closure of the summer transfer window is not a concern at all, with the former Charlton manager admitting he spoke to the one player who did move to Town on deadline day in former Addicks defender Mark Hudson - ahead of him being confirmed in the job which had been widely anticipated.

He added: “There’s a good squad here already with lots of experience and potential and there’s some good young players.

“The loan window opens soon and I am sure that there will be the chance to manoveure one or two players hopefully coming into the squad. Maybe one or two need to play some football and get some experience.

“But I am sure we will have a really competitive squad.”

@LeonWobYP