DEAN HOYLE says he won’t rush the search for a new manager – and that Mark Lillis will be back in the dug-out when Huddersfield Town tackle Crystal Palace at home in the Championship on Wednesday.
The owner-chairman watched academy chief Lillis’s charges draw 1-1 at home to Leicester in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday in the first match since Simon Grayson’s departure.
It took an 82nd-minute equaliser from Chris Wood to prevent Town winning through Lee Novak’s 74th-minute penalty – and Hoyle hailed the display under caretaker manager Lillis.
“The performance was just what we were looking for,” said Hoyle, after results in the Championship meant Town dropped to 19th, five points above the relegation zone.
“The players knew what was required and stepped up. It was a very solid team display which showed how far off the mark we have been and what we are capable of.
“Mark Lillis is an experienced football man with a real passion for this club, and I thought he put round pegs in round holes.
“I knew he would steady the ship and his presence means that we can take the necessary time to do all we can to ensure we make the right appointment.”
Former Southampton boss Nigel Adkins remains the bookies’ favourite, but there are suggestions he may want to return to management at a higher level.
Town are also being linked with the likes of Owen Coyle, Phil Parkinson, Mark Hughes and Paolo Di Canio, as well as Lillis himself.
But Hoyle insists he has an open mind saying only: “We have already had a lot of interest, but that’s not surprising.
“This is an ambitious club with a good existing staff and as a chairman, I support managers and don’t sack them easily.
“Stan Ternent wasn’t my appointment and, in my view, wasn’t the right man for the club, Lee Clark had my backing for more than three years and it wasn’t working under Simon Grayson.”
Town will seek a first win in 13 league games against fifth-placed Palace, and head to Derby, who are 13th, on Saturday.
