Huddersfield Town’s captain Tommy Smith conceded that this week’s departure of David Wagner has been emotional for all involved.
Wagner left his role as Huddersfield manager by ‘mutual consent’ with The Terriers currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after eight defeats in their last nine league fixtures.
Smith claimed that the players had no idea Wagner’s time was up after their 0-0 draw at Cardiff last weekend. The 26-year-old also recognised the impact the former Borussia Dortmund Reserve team manager had on the club since his arrival in 2015.
“There was no indication after the Cardiff game as to what was coming,” Smith told a pre-match press conference today.
“It’s been emotional. He transformed the club.
“It’s a great opportunity now for other people. It’s a fresh start. We’re desperate to make a real fight of Premier League survival.”
Huddersfield’s caretaker manager Mark Hudson faces a baptism of fire as his side welcomes Manchester City to the John Smith’s Stadium this Sunday.
Hudson faces an uphill task to help achieve Premier League survival with Huddersfield already eight points behind 17th-placed Cardiff City.