Darren Moore explains why he thinks Huddersfield Town is the “perfect fit” and why he is unconcerned about succeeding Neil Warnock.
NEW HUDDERSFIELD Town manager Darren Moore claims that taking over the Terriers offers the ‘ideal match’ for him to return to management. Moore also claims that he is not intimidated by the prospect of succeeding Neil Warnock, who had a remarkable run as manager in West Yorkshire.
According to chief executive officer Jake Edwards, Moore, who left Sheffield Wednesday in June, has a “multi-year, three-year deal” with the Championship team and will be in command of his third White Rose club.
The Championship game at Coventry City on Monday will mark Moore’s managerial debut after he initially saw his players on Saturday.
It’s amazing for me, the 49-year-old said.
“Listen, I played for Neil at Torquay and am familiar with him. What he has accomplished is incredible; it would be wonderful if I could accomplish even half of what Neil has in my career.
“In the hierarchy of the game, he is highly regarded. I wish Neil the best and will phone him later. I am confident he will return shortly.
“What an amazing chance to take over this beautiful club. I’ve always had to compete against them over the years, and I loved being a part of Huddersfield Town Football Club.
“After speaking with the chairman (Kevin Nagle), Jake (Edwards, CEO), Mark Cartwright, and the head of football, it was the ideal fit. It has given me energy and fuel.
“Huddersfield Town gets me inside and outside the football club, 100 per cent, the community, fans and staff get all of me. Bringing everyone together as one is what really enthuses me.
“When we sat down and put to each other, a lot of things aligned. It’s an honour for me to manage this wonderful football club.
“There’s youth and experienced and lots of different dynamics to the team. There’s so much going on with this team. As a manager, my challenge is to improve them all individually and collectively.”
On opting for Warnock, Edwards said: “The timing was right. Our intention was to make the appointment from a position of strength and control that and move when the right candidate was available and met the rigours of what needed. The timing was absolutely right.
“This is an exciting day for the football club. This is one of the biggest decisions we have to make, it’s been a very thoughtful, intentional process.
“We set goals and our objectives high and make sure the manager has the track record and character to lead this organisation towards those goals.”
Moore is joined by assistant manager Jamie Smith, first-team coach Jimmy Shan, set-piece coach Simon Ireland, and goalkeeping coach Adriano Basso – who previously worked with him at Hillsborough.
Late last month, Moore broke his silence over his summer departure from the club – and denied it was anything to do with contractual reasons.
Moore left Hillsborough in a bombshell development just three weeks after the Owls were promoted back to the Championship at Wembley.
Despite the circumstances of his departure being confidential, Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri did go on record to claim weeks later that the decision was made due to Moore’s salary demands, which the ex-Owls chief refutes.
Moore countered that view and said, on his part, it was down to the targets of Chansiri, which he felt to be too unrealistic.
Chansiri issued a further response last week, sending an open letter to supporters.
Moore makes his first return to Hillsborough in just over a fortnight’s time on October 7.
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