Former USMNT manager Bob Bradley isn't the only American coach working his way up the ladder in Europe.
English Championship side Huddersfield Town announced Thursday that they had appointed former US international David Wagner as the club's new manager, making him one of the highest-profile US coaches working outside North America.
Wagner, 44, makes the move to England after four years managing Borussia Dortmund II, the German powerhouse's reserve team. He was born to an American father and a German mother, was raised and played his entire career in Germany and represented the US national team eight times from 1996 to 1998 including four World Cup qualifiers.
Wagner's appointment to the Huddersfield job comes after widespread rumors that he was set to join former Dortmund colleague Jurgen Klopp's coaching staff at Liverpool. The pair are close friends, and Wagner served as the best man at Klopp's wedding.
Huddersfield Town – three-time English champions in the 1920s – currently sit 18th in the 24-team Championship, with 15 points through their first 15 games. Previous manager Chris Powell was fired on Nov. 3 after 14 months in charge, for "failing to meet the club's objectives." Wagner is the first manager in Huddersfield's 107-year history to be born outside the British Isles.
In his time with Dortmund II, Wagner worked with a number of young American players including Terrence Boyd, Joe Gyau and Junior Flores, in addition to a number of future Bundesliga players. He guided the team to promotion into Germany's third division (3. Liga) in his first year in charge, where they stayed until being relegated at the end of the 2014-15 season.
Wagner will have a chance to work with another young American player at his new job – the Terriers count 20-year-old Columbus, Georgia native Duane Holmes among their up-and-coming prospects.
Wagner's tenure at Huddersfield will officially begin on Monday,with academy manager Mark Lillis set to lead the team in Saturday's derby clash with Leeds United.
