Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner leaves club

David Wagner, the Huddersfield Town head coach, has left the club "by mutual consent".

A statement on the club's website said that it followed "detailed discussions with the Board of Directors", adding that both parties had agreed "this is the correct move for the future of the club".

Huddersfield Town chairman and owner Dean Hoyle paid tribute to Wagner's "stewardship" of the club, saying: "We’ve achieved things on the football pitch that surpass anything in modern memory."

Hoyle said the 47-year-old approached the board and made it clear that he needs a break from the rigours of football management.

In his three-and-a-half years in charge, the German transformed the fortunes of the Terriers, taking them from near the bottom of the Championship to the Premier League.

This season, though, they have struggled at the foot of the table, eight points adrift of safety.

Hoyle denied sacking Wagner, insisting "this is truly a joint decision".

“As I had said previously, I had no intention of sacking David this season. Subsequently David, being the great man he is, came to us and made it clear that he needs a break from the rigours of football management."

Former Huddersfield Town manager Peter Jackson celebrated David Wagner's "miracles" but said "maybe it is time for a rest, and for someone new to come into the club".

WATCH: Calendar's sports correspondent, John Shires, on David Wagner's legacy (first transmitted 14 January 2019).