David Wagner to talk to Jurgen Klopp about keeping play-off hero Danny Ward at Huddersfield
On-loan Ward saved twice in penalty shootout against Reading to propel the Terriers into top flight for first time in 45 years
Sponsored by
HUDDERSFIELD manager David Wagner will talk to his friend Jurgen Klopp about hanging on to Championship play-off hero Danny Ward next season.
Keeper Ward, the shootout hero as Huddersfield beat Reading 4-3 on penalties at Wembley, is currently on loan from Liverpool.
And, after guiding the Terriers into the top flight for the first time in 45 years with Ward saving spot kicks from defender Liam Moore and Jordan Obita, Wagner needs a conversation with his fellow-German.
Wagner, 45, a coach at Borussia Dortmund when Klopp was in charge, said:
"I think I have a lot of calls to make to be fair, which is why I don't want to think about it because I know how much work is in front of me.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
"I will speak with Jurgen for sure as well, not only about Danny but about what has happened.
"I will meet Jurgen on the sideline in the Premier League; it will be funny - when the game starts we are sometimes out of control - but we will see."
A tense, nervy 120 minutes of poor football failed to produce a goal, setting up the £200million penalty shootout that was settled when German centre-half Christopher Schindler stepped up to convert the winning spot kick to write his name in Huddersfield history.
Wagner took over from sacked Chris Powell in 2015 and steered the Yorkshire club to safety. Then, in his first full season, he has achieved promotion to the Premier League.
"It's big achievement,” he said. “I'm so happy for my players and my group and I'm happy for the whole town.
"Everyone has helped the club move forward and the chairman backed nearly all of my ideas, even when he thought they were ridiculous.
“We set no limits it's, and now our limit is the Premier League.
"I'm so happy we have proven experience is not everything, especially here in England.
"Experience is important, but if you have passion and ideas you can match it."
Wagner praised his players for exceeding all expectations this season and insisted his side had nothing to lose going into the multi-million pound play-off.
He added: "I said to the players before the play-offs, you are heroes - fifth in league is an unbelievable season.
"Now you have the opportunity to become legends. They are now legends for sure and everyone will talks about this group of players and what they have done.”
Meanwhile, losing Reading boss Jaap Stam insists he will lead the Royals next season, despite being linked with a possible switch to West Ham.
Stam said:" I still have a contract, there's is nothing there that is going to take me away.
"Of course you want to work at the highest level and coach at the top. I've been there as a player. But it doesn't mean I have to move away.
“We need to look at what is going to happen in the summer.
"I'm happy here so, why shouldn't I, we are doing very well with the team.
"Nothing is going to happen, I'm still happy to be here, work here, to live in the area.
"It's a great club with a great atmosphere and great people to work with."