Jon Worthington has stepped down as caretaker manager after four games and has remarked about how much he liked the role.
Jon Worthington, Huddersfield Town’s caretaker manager, confesses he “really enjoyed” his interim term in command. Worthington played his final game on Saturday against Hull City before turning over the reins to incoming head coach Andre Breitenreiter, who takes over this week.
The academy manager led the first team for four games, winning two and losing two, defeating Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland while losing to Southampton and Hull City. Worthington’s final game concluded in
disappointment, as Jacob Greaves scored a 94th-minute winner to deny the Terriers a point after Jack Rudoni had levelled just two minutes earlier.
Despite the late setback, the caretaker boss reflected warmly on his time in command. “I think regardless of the result today, I want to thank the fans for their support over the last three weeks, they’ve been unbelievable,” Worthington told BBC Radio Leeds after Saturday’s 2-1 setback.
“I’ve received an overwhelming number of notes of support, which is both humbling and heartwarming. I’ve thoroughly liked the experience. It has been excellent for me to have that experience. It’s a privilege to be out there leading the squad, and I’ve enjoyed it much.
“I enjoy leadership; leading a team, a group of staff and athletes, is something I believe I excel at. I started as a player at an early age, so it comes easy to me. I’ve really liked being around the staff and players, as well as being the group’s leader.”
Worthington has six points from four matches in charge of the Terriers, who are currently sixth from bottom in the Championship. Town have already collected 34 points from 33 games, but they continue to look over their shoulders, with only two points separating them from the relegation zone.
However, Worthington believes the Terriers have “more than enough” to remain in the division this season. “I’ve just thanked them (the players), because they’ve been amazing for me over the last three weeks and four games,” the interim head coach remarked.
“I fully believe in this bunch of players. If they maintain the attitude and character that they demonstrated in prior games, they will be OK.
“The squad surely has enough. We’ve seen enough in the last four games, and even in the last three games [against] some good opponents in Southampton, Hull, and Sunderland, and I believe we’ve matched them. Unfortunately, the results did not go our way today, but I believe the group is more than capable of pulling away.
“The spirit is definitely present. There is a willingness among the players to work for and support one another, which is complemented by the experience and youth present, as well as the individual talented players. I am convinced there is more than enough in that dressing room.”
The burden now falls to Breitenreiter to keep Town above the dotted line, with the new head coach due to take command of his first encounter away to 11th-placed Watford on Saturday, and Worthington intends to meet with the new manager to assist with the German’s transition into the club.
“We’ll definitely sit down,” the caretaker chief replied. “Mark (Cartwright, sporting director) has already expressed a strong desire to do so, as has Andre. Any more information he can provide, as well as knowing the particular players and providing some backstory on some of them, would help [make] the adjustment for Andre as painless as possible.”
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