EFL club announce shock sacking of manager just hours after dropping out of play-off places

Michael Duff has been fired by Huddersfield Town.

Duff leaves the Terriers a day after they lost to Bristol Rovers 1-0 on the road, dropping them out of the play-off spots.

Kevin Nagle, the chairman and owner of Huddersfield Town, stated in a club statement that it was “not a decision I have taken lightly,” particularly in light of Duff’s appointment last summer.

“But we just haven’t performed well enough on the pitch since the beginning of the year,” Nagle stated.

It’s true that we’ve had to deal with an injury scenario that has never been seen before, especially in recent years, but I think the resources we have at our disposal can do more than the four victories we’ve recorded in our previous 15 games.

“I believe that in order to rekindle our push for promotion, we need to make this adjustment right away. I would want to express my gratitude to Michael and wish him continued success.

For the rest of the season, Academy manager Jon Worthington, who played more than 230 games for the Terriers, will step in as interim manager.

Next Saturday, Worthington will play his first game as manager at home against 22nd-place Crawley Town.

“I am honoured to be coaching the First Team from now until the end of the season, and Huddersfield Town is my club,” Worthington remarked.

“We have ten crucial games left, with many points up for grabs and every option still available to us.

As is the case every day, I will devote all of my attention and efforts to making our Club the best it can be.

“I want to give Town supporters pride in their team and club during that time, as well as repay the faith and trust that Kevin Nagle, Jake Edwards, and Mark Cartwright have placed in me.”

“See you all on Saturday afternoon at John Smith’s Stadium.”

Huddersfield was two points behind sixth-place Bolton, who were in the final play-off spot, in seventh place in League One with 58 points at the time of Duff’s departure.

Even though the Royals have a game left, Huddersfield is still three points ahead of eighth-place Reading.

Since taking over in the summer, Duff’s record in all competitions is 20 wins, 7 draws, and 16 losses.

Among the losses was a humiliating FA Cup first-round loss to non-league Tamworth.

Additionally, Huddersfield has lost four games and drawn twice at home in 2025.

For the first time since November 23, Huddersfield fell out of the top six following their defeat to Bristol Rovers.

Huddersfield lost five of their first nine league games, which caused Duff to have a difficult start to the season.

Nonetheless, the Terriers had a 16-game league winning streak during the Northern Irishman’s stellar midseason run of play.

They fell to Bolton 1-0 on the road on January 25, ending the run.

Huddersfield only managed three victories in their next ten games after that.