They say never go back. It's the cardinal sin. But sometimes, the pull of attraction and deep rooted love means that all logic goes out of the window. It seems Huddersfield Town could follow their heart once again as their hunt for a new manager continues, with former boss David Wagner at the top of their list.
It’s been three and a half years since the German-born boss departed the John Smith’s Stadium with the club struggling in the Premier League. But he left a hero having secured the most unlikely promotion in Championship history and then kept the minnows of Huddersfield safe in their first Premier League season.
His name naturally sparks emotive responses from all those deeply affiliated with the club. For some, his return would see the greatest Terriers manager of the modern era return to the club which would galvanise the fan base. He’s done it before with Town, so why can’t he do it again?
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For more sceptical onlookers, his return is unwanted. Wagner doesn’t need to tarnish the immortal legacy he has at Huddersfield with a second spell that is almost certain to fail to deliver the same dizzying heights as the first. After Jan Siewart and Danny Cowley, the club took a risk by appointing Carlos Corberan, a move that paid off emphatically.
He led them to the play-offs and it seemed like they were finally on the right footing again, after the turbulence of promotion, and then relegation from the Premier League. His sudden departure this summer certainly rocked the boat, but does that mean Huddersfield should look to the past rather than the future with their next appointment?
Highly-rated Chelsea coach Anthony Barry is also in the running to take charge, which would seem to follow the ‘Corberan’ model that was so successful last season. It could be argued that Huddersfield have moved on and need to look to the future rather than the past. But on the other hand, it is Wagner.
They found themselves in a similar position as they are in now, struggling near the bottom of the Champions when he was first appointed. His magic mystery saw Town finish in the play-offs on minus goal difference, and then get promoted via two penalty shootouts. Few predicted they would retain their Premier League status, but they did, and secured a memorable win over Manchester United along the way.
After leaving Yorkshire, he took some time out of the game before taking a job at Schalke. Working amid financial difficulties, he began well before a poor run of results saw the side slump to 12th. He was sacked after a poor start to the next campaign, before rocking up at Swiss champions Young Boys.
Another famous win over Manchester United, this time in the Champions League, drew plaudits but domestically he underachieved again and was sacked in March. From his recent CV, do Huddersfield need Wagner or does Wagner need Huddersfield?
It seems to be a bit of both, but the underlying feeling is that this return will not work out. What Wagner did at Huddersfield was nothing short of spectacular, and to see that tarnished in any way would be heartbreaking. As romantic as thoughts of a reunion are, it’s not worth the risk of souring that bond between Wagner and the club. Huddersfield need to look to the future with a forward-thinking appointment. They got it spot on with Corberan. Now they need to find the next gem, rather than returning to their ex.
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