VIDEO: Desire to entertain sees Chris Powell pay the price at Huddersfield

WELCOME: Huddersfield Town chief excecutive Nigel Clibbens, left, with Chris Powell on the day of his appointment as manager in September last year. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Powell leaves Town after just 14 months in charge, with the club in 18th place in the Championship after three Championship wins in 15 games this term.

Town insist that the decision was not down to results, but more differences in footballing and recruitment philosophy, with the club keen for a more dynamic style of play and for the increased involvement of their academy players.

Academy boss Mark Lillis will take charge of the side in Saturday’s home derby with Leeds United A new man could yet be named by then, although he will not lead Town in the weekend derby.

Intriguingly, former Whites head coach Uwe Rosler is one of the early favourites for the role, with other names in the frame including Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dean Smith.

On the decision to dispense with the services of Powell, Clibbens said: “I think we want the club to go in a different direction.

“We are in our fourth season in the division now and it’s time we looked at a different way of working. We need to be a bit more ambitious and strive to be a bit more successful rather than just looking for survival.

“I think that means doing things in a different way and that means new leadership of the team to take us down that path.

Mark Lillis will again step up to run the first team at Huddersfield Town after the sacking of Chris Powell on Wednesday morning.

“These things are never easy and it is not motivated by short-term results and a quest to suddenly do a lot better on the field. It’s about the long-term progress of the club.

“There’s lots of factors and it’s important we have the right fit going forward. We need a different kind of person to reinvigorate the club.

The club felt that the footballing ethos of Powell was also turning off spectators from attending games, with that being a factor in the decision to part company with the Londoner and embark on a fresh approach in the hopes of bringing back the missing supporters to the John Smith’s Stadium.

Clibbens added: “I think we have had a lot of feedback from fans saying that they have been a bit unhappy about what has been put in front of them. We understand that and have to do what is right for the club.

“We won’t go for gimmicks and short-term fixes. We have got to understand what the club is about and we need fans to want to come and watch us.

“We are in the entertainment business and need to recognise that and do what is right for the club - to develop players to boy and sell and progress.

“We are not going to have the biggest players, budgets or crowds. But we have a lot going for us at this club and I think we need to embrace that a bit more and use to our advantage.”

On the search for Powell’s successor, he added: “I think it’s early doors and we have a lot to do. We must make sure we get the right man. It’s never easy, but we will work hard to get the right man and fit who actually will embrace where we want to do and deal with the issues we face, head on.”