Former USA international and Borussia Dortmund reserve team coach David Wagner has emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant Huddersfield Town manager’s job .
The Championship club are on the look-out for the sixth boss of the Dean Hoyle era after parting company with Chris Powell.
The odds on Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp’s close mate Wagner getting the John Smith’s Stadium post have tumbled.
Football Writer Doug Thomson looks at five reasons why the bookies could be right.
Wagner’s CV is different, but impressive
The 44-year-old is a former US international striker, but has come up through the renowned German football system.
He played for a number of clubs, including Eintracht Frankfurt, Mainz, where he first got to know big mate Jurgen Klopp, and Schalke.
He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and his first coaching job was with the Under 17s at Hoffenheim.
He took charge of Borussia Dortmund’s reserve side in 2011.
He would embrace Huddersfield Town’s blueprint for progress
Dean Hoyle’s development-based plan to establish the club in the Championship has been well documented.
And Wagner’s coaching career so far has been all about bringing through young players.
Watch: Huddersfield Town chief exec outlines what he wants in new manager
He has moved up the age group ladder from Hoffenheim to Dortmund, where the approach to both coaching and playing style has deliberately mirrored the first team’s “full-throttle” approach.
Is it time for a switch to senior football?
Wagner is ready for a “new challenge”
That was his comment on leaving Dortmund earlier this week.
It was widely expected he would link up with long-term friend Klopp at Liverpool.
But then came Town’s decision to part company with Chris Powell .
Could Wagner wind up halfway along the M62 rather than at the Western end?
He is keen to enter English club management
That’s the word coming from the German press.
He has gained valuable experience in the development system and wants a step up.
After four more traditional-type appointments during the Dean Hoyle era, Town have said they want to go down a different path.
Put against previous managers, Wagner would certainly be different.
Wagner would open up interesting new avenues for Town
The John Smith’s Stadium club have stayed relatively close to home when it comes to making signings.
But there are a large number of players from outside these shores operating in the English game.
Wagner has obvious in-depth knowledge of German football.
And his close relationship with Klopp could come in useful!
