Thursday 10 May 2018 09:58, UK
David Wagner has hailed Huddersfield's Premier League survival, suggesting he's achieved it on a budget smaller than some Sky Bet Championship teams.
Huddersfield secured their Premier League status for next season and severely dented Chelsea's top-four hopes by battling to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
This latest performance of grit and outstanding defensive organisation, plus a famous goal by Laurent Depoitre (50), all-but relegates Swansea City, who need a 10-goal swing on the final day to turn the tables on Southampton.
The masterful Wagner has kept his side up against the odds, with the Terriers only spending a remarkable eight days in the relegation zone all season despite their minuscule budget.
"It's a bigger achievement than the promotion - last season we were predicted to get relegated and we won promotion," he said.
"Some predicted this season that we would be relegated by miles. I understand that totally. We work under circumstances that are maybe not even Championship circumstances - but part of our DNA is to try and have passion and desire. It doesn't matter how big you are - you have to try everything. Togetherness is a big part."
Fresh from their defensive masterclass against champions Manchester City, Huddersfield started at Stamford Bridge where they left off at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea bossed the ball but created little in open play and Terriers goalkeeper Jonas Lossl was in fine form when Chelsea did threaten his goal.
With Jonathan Hogg and Aaron Mooy epitomising Huddersfield's bite and organisation in midfield, Huddersfield saw the game out and Wagner couldn't hide his delight at full-time.
"I don't think my English is good enough to describe what the players have done throughout the whole season," Wagner said.
"Tonight, I think we have seen everything that counts for us and this is desire, passion, effort, attitude and togetherness and I am a strong believer that if you have the passion and desire and the spirit, you can compete sometimes with top quality and we've seen today that we at least tried it - we had lady luck today, there's no doubt about it - but if a group of players deserved it, it's this group of players. It's an unbelievable achievement for this football club."
