David Wagner’s Huddersfield spell changed his life but there can be no divided loyalties when he returns with Norwich City.
Wagner is relishing his first competitive reunion in the Championship on Wednesday with the club he led to the Premier League, and then kept them up the following season.
The German has accepted the same challenge at Carrow Road, but is focused on City’s top six mission with Neil Warnock on a firefighting brief to keep the ailing Terriers up.
“It is something which was an extraordinary journey for all of us,” said Wagner, speaking at Colney on Tuesday afternoon. “This stays for my whole life, for our whole life. It's a good football club, good people. Good supporters as well.
"I liked every single second I was there. And obviously, after Wednesday, after the whistle, I wish them the very best for the future.
“I was there, I think it was last August, the chairman invited me to come to a home game. It was against West Brom. Obviously, it was nice to be back, to be there, and to spend a couple of days in Huddersfield as well.
“To be fair, I don't like to give any comments on them, or the situation, because I think it would be unfair after what I experienced there. Everybody can see where they are at the table.
"This is why I don't like to give any comments. I'm too far away, I don't have any inside knowledge of what's going on there.”
Huddersfield have also been hit with a transfer embargo by the Football League, but Wagner knows the wily Warnock will be looking to foster a siege mentality.
“There will be no surprises, we know exactly what we can expect from them,” he said. “I know exactly what I can expect from the circumstances up north, in Yorkshire.
"We know exactly how Neil Warnock sets his teams up, so there will be no surprises and we are prepared. We know what to do and now it's up to us to execute it right and perform on our level.”
One of the funniest pressers I’ve ever filmed when Neil Warnock walked in on David Wagner on this very day three years ago😂 pic.twitter.com/JP3w5EvFjO
— Derek Clark (@derekclarksport) May 7, 2020
Wagner was seemingly unaware, when asked on Tuesday at Colney, about the viral post-match video footage of the vastly-experienced Warnock gatecrashing his press conference ahead of the Terriers’ play-off tilt in 2017.
“To be totally honest, I can’t remember this press conference, and he has done a lot more than me. Even if it is unique for others,” he said. “Obviously I know him. His CV speaks for itself. I met him a few times in the dugouts.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here