David Wagner has revealed he gave the hard word to Joe Lolley on arriving at Huddersfield Town.
The German head coach immediately recognised the talent of the 23-year-old but felt he was at a crossroads in the PPG Canalside squad.
Wagner, appointed in November, said: “I told him I’d worked with a lot of talents over the past four or five years in Germany and he would be one of the best.
“But he wasn’t fit enough and often didn’t have the right attitude to be a professional football player.
“He had to make a decision if he would like to make a few steps in his career – and it looks like he has made the decision that he does.”
Lolley, signed from Kidderminster Harriers for £300,000 in January 2014 and loaned to Scunthorpe United earlier this season, has featured 16 times under Wagner ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Wolves, scoring three goals.
And he has signed a new contract through to 2019, with the club having the option of an extra year.
“He is a very good talent, but he wasn’t ready and has a lot of things to work on,” added Wagner.
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“Joe has basically missed the last two or three years of his career and we have to help him to get those two or three years back as soon as we can.
“I am very happy he has signed a new contract. We had to make sure he stayed and I am very happy he is with us.
“He is not only a good player, but a good character as well and we will see how fast and how high we can help him develop.”
