Huddersfield Town has been without a full-time manager since March, when they parted ways with Michael Duff after a disappointing spell at the club. Duff, aged 47, had only been in charge for ten months, having succeeded Andre Breitenreiter, who left the position by mutual agreement.
Although Duff enjoyed an impressive 16-match unbeaten run earlier in the League One campaign, a sharp dip in form losing four of five recent fixtures ultimately led to his departure. This slump made it increasingly difficult to justify keeping him in the role, especially given the high expectations placed on the former Barnsley and Swansea City boss.
Since his exit, Jon Worthington has stepped up as interim manager, and it appears he will continue in that position until a permanent successor is appointed in the summer. During this transitional period, several notable names within the EFL have been linked with the Huddersfield role, including Des Buckingham, Rob Edwards, and Wayne Rooney.
Football League World recently caught up with EFL pundit Lee Hendrie to get his thoughts on who might be the best fit for Huddersfield moving forward. Hendrie believes that Des Buckingham stands out among the candidates. Reflecting on Buckingham’s achievements at Oxford United most notably guiding the team to promotion to the Championship Hendrie suggested he could be a perfect match for the Terriers. He acknowledged Rob Edwards’ excellent record with Luton Town, which might make him a candidate for a higher-profile job, while Wayne Rooney’s previous stints at clubs like Derby and Birmingham have been marred by poor timing and limited resources.
Hendrie emphasized that Buckingham not only has the credentials but also embodies the sort of progressive, modern football Huddersfield may be seeking. His recent success at Oxford and rising managerial stock make him an appealing candidate for a club looking to rebuild after a turbulent period.
Indeed, stability has been elusive for Huddersfield in recent years. Under the leadership of former Director of Football Mark Cartwright, the club cycled through five managers in a little over a year, none of whom were able to establish a lasting impact. This carousel of short-term appointments has contributed to an unstable environment, culminating in a disappointing 2023/24 season that ended in relegation to League One.
The managerial timeline reflects the chaos: Neil Warnock’s brief tenure ended in September 2023, followed by Darren Moore’s equally short spell. Jon Worthington then briefly stepped in before Andre Breitenreiter’s arrival in February 2024, who himself only lasted a few months. Duff took over in July 2024 but couldn’t turn things around either, resulting in yet another interim spell under Worthington from March 2025.
Now, with Cartwright having exited his role, Huddersfield Town has a chance to hit the reset button. The upcoming summer presents a rare and valuable opportunity for the club to redefine its footballing philosophy, establish continuity, and create a clear long-term vision.
Appointing the right manager will be essential to this reset. Buckingham, still only 40, brings a fresh approach and a record of success that aligns well with what Huddersfield so desperately needs a clear identity, tactical stability, and leadership capable of overseeing long-term development.
While other contenders like Edwards and Rooney bring different qualities to the table, Buckingham’s upward trajectory and strategic clarity could position him as the ideal choice. Whoever is ultimately selected will be tasked with revitalizing a fractured squad and leading a revival at the John Smith’s Stadium. After years of inconsistency, Huddersfield must now prioritize direction, vision, and a stable foundation to navigate their way back up the footballing ladder.