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Lee Clark shocked by Huddersfield Town exit INTERVIEW
Lee Clark.
Lee Clark has said Huddersfield Town’s surprise decision to sack him and his coaching staff has left him “shocked, disappointed and perplexed”.
Clark, 39, and assistant Terry McDermott have been dismissed after little more than three years at the club. Academy manager Mark Lillis has been installed as caretaker manager and will take charge of the club against Exeter on Saturday.
Huddersfield are currently fourth in npower League One, well placed to challenge for automatic promotion, and set a new Football League record of 43 games unbeaten earlier in the season.
Clark said via a statement released by the League Managers Association (LMA): “I’m very perplexed as to why I was dismissed as the manager of Huddersfield Town.
“Needless to say I’m extremely disappointed and shocked considering that, with just 16 games left, we are in a such great position to compete for automatic promotion.
“We built on last season’s momentum following the play-off final by creating history in the Football League record books for consecutive unbeaten games. This was an immense achievement by everybody connected with the club.
“I’m massively proud of my record with Huddersfield and I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, coaching staff, supporters and indeed everybody at the club.
“I now wish them all the very best for the future and hope they will ultimately achieve promotion this season.”
The LMA will wait to learn the reasons behind Clark’s sacking from Huddersfield before deciding whether or not to launch a case for unfair dismissal.
The LMA added in a brief statement: “The LMA are in communication with the club with regards the reasons for the dismissal and how the club intend to terminate the contract.”
Clark, who quit as first-team coach at Norwich to succeed Stan Ternent at the Galpharm Stadium in December 2008, led Huddersfield to the npower League One play-off final in May for the second successive season, but his side lost their first game in 28 league matches, 3-0 to Peterborough.
Huddersfield extended their unbeaten league run this season and surpassed Nottingham Forest’s previous 42-game Football League record, set during the 1977-78 season, with victory over Notts County in November.
Town fell four points adrift of the top two when they lost 1-0 to automatic promotion rivals Sheffield United on Tuesday night, but have 16 games left to close the gap.
In his first full season at the club, Clark, who won the manager of the month award three times in 2009-10, led Huddersfield to the play-offs where his side lost to eventual winners Millwall.
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Comments
There are 11 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
steve50
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 09:57 AMWhy do we need experience, how many teams had Lambert or Rodgers taken up before taking their respective teams up? ---- none, going back how many teams had Don Revie taken up before taking United up in the 60's? none I'd rather go for an up and comer than serial failure
Reality or Religion?
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 08:38 AMNot Clark Thanks...As been said many times on here we need experience, someone who as been there and done it. Warnock is my first choice but can't see that happening due to Master bates tight buget. Same reason i can't see my second choice Mick Mac coming. That leaves billy davies, did well with Preston, Forest and Derby and perhaps would not demand a big contract as the other two...
dkershaw4
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:29 PMMight as well give him a contract until the end of the season and give him the leeds job .... COME ON BATES redfearn is not going to sort this mess out ........ I hope simon grayson gets the Huddesfield job as he will have your team promotted within two seasons
prankster
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 04:55 PMMick mac all the way
ELLAND BACK
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 04:01 PMWHO CARES we have to focus everything on bates the crook. buying back the ground what from yourself, like when you sold yourself yorkshire radio . we know all your little schemes its time to go bates nothing other than your removal from the club will do
willie bell
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:56 PMYou don`t want this geordie c...t at leeds.
MarcHarrison
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:55 PMAre you guys mad? there's no way this guy will be better than Grayson. His win ratio is 49% and Grayson's was 52% when he got the boot. Plus when you consider Grayson had no money to spend and the fact that Clark has spent MILLIONS!!!! it's a complete no contest, I wouldn't be surprised if Ken Bates got him because he is cheap, he will flatter to deceive and ultimately wont get us promoted, no chance.
bramley whites
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:31 PMWhy as he not signed a contract at leeds already ! hurry up bates this man will achieve at leeds united
Chris R
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:11 PMI think Huddersfield Town bosses are foolish in their rush to sack Lee Clark, he has been an excellent manager for the club and to be sacked after all his achievements goes to show a lack of forward thinking.... i hope Town now slide out of the play-off places and that Lee Clark fits in effortlessly at Elland Road... Yes Mr Bates, here is your new manager!!!!
davidjmays
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:56 PMGet him to Elland Road. Ken Bates will pay for the taxi.
lufcforever
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:54 PMwhats ken up to the tw-@-t
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