New head coach Jan Siewert claims he cannot be compared to David Wagner as he looks to help Huddersfield pull off ‘the great escape’.
The 36-year-old former Borussia Dortmund reserve-team boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to replace fellow German Wagner and become the Premier League’s youngest manager.
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Wagner, who also arrived at Huddersfield from Dortmund, left the Terriers by mutual consent last week after guiding the club into the top flight for the first time in 45 years before defying all odds to keep them up last season.
Siewert said: “I always did it my way so I can’t be compared to David Wagner because he’s a fantastic manager and had so much success here.
“But now it’s my role here. It’s a new chapter and the most important thing is that I’m used to working with professional players, at Dortmund I had some great opportunities and now I’d like to challenge myself.”
Wagner held the same role as Siewert at Dortmund before he arrived at Huddersfield in November 2015. “Of course there are similarities,” Siewert added.
“But the most important thing is I’m Jan Siewert and I have to do it my way as David did it his way. We should not compare us two because that’s not possible.”
Siewert takes over with the club rooted to the foot of the table, 10 points from safety after losing nine of their last 10 league games, but he insisted Town’s survival fight was not a lost cause.
He added: “Without being confident, I wouldn’t sit here. We have to work hard, do our very best and prepare for everything. “There are 15 more games and my only focus at the moment is the task I have to do with the team and I will give everything.”
It remains to be seen if funds will be made available to Siewert to strengthen the squad before the end of the transfer window. “My day has more than 24 hours at the moment, so of course I have do my work,” said Siewert, who revealed he had not yet had time to speak with Wagner.
“Since there was contact from Huddersfield Town I did my research, but I’d like to point out the most important thing was I worked for Borussia Dortmund until the end and did it with all my heart.
“Now it’s the time to have thoughts about the transfer period. I think we’ll have a look at it.”
