News Update

Ex-Manchester United player lands first managerial job with EFL club in surprise move

Huddersfield Town has announced ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Lee Grant as their new manager. Grant will join from Ipswich Town, where he was one of their first-team coaches under Kieran McKenna. Grant has landed his first managerial roleGetty Huddersfield owner and chairman Kevin Nagle expressed his delight at landing Grant having been impressed by the former goalkeeper in every meeting. “Each time I have met with Lee and discussed the Club, he has presented detailed ideas, been passionate about the way he has described his way of playing football and shown a desire to succeed and take on this opportunity that propelled him beyond other candidates,” Nagle said. “Throughout our due diligence, it was clear how impressive Lee’s coaching work was, and his reputation couldn’t have been higher with everyone who has crossed his path. Playing his part in successful teams both on and off the pitch over the course of his career to date, that’s a habit we believe he will be well positioned to continue at Town. “We will support Lee and work together to build a team to help us achieve our goals this season, and beyond. His values and ambition aligns with our own, and I look forward to seeing him lead our First Team into another important campaign ahead.” The 42-year-old replaces Michael Duff, who was axed in brutal fashion by the League One outfit last March. Duff was sacked by the Terriers a day after they lost 1-0 to Bristol Rovers in a result that saw them drop out of the play-off positions. Huddersfield, who were a Premier League club as recently as 2019, finished the 2024/25 campaign in 10th and 14 points away from the play-off positions. They have now entrusted Grant, who has never managed before, with the task of getting the club back into the Championship. Grant enjoyed a playing career as a goalkeeper that spanned an impressive 22 years. He made his professional debut in September 2002 for Derby County, where he went on to make 79 appearances in total. The 42-year-old has been tasked with getting the Terriers out of the third tier Grant quickly became a reliable presence between the sticks for Championship clubs as he moved between Sheffield United, Burnley and even returned to Derby before he got his shot as a Premier League gloveman in August 2016 with Stoke City. He initially joined the Potters on a six-month loan to provide cover for the injured Jack Butland. But his move became permanent in the January window having kept an impressive six clean sheets from 15 league appearances. In fact, Grant kept his place in the starting line-up at Stoke until Butland’s return from injury in April 2017. So impressive were Grant’s performances, he earned Stoke’s player of the year award for the 2016/17 campaign as the Potters ultimately finished 13th in the Premier League. Grant was consigned to back-up duties behind Butland for the following season as Stoke’s 10-year stay in the top flight came to a devastating end. Grant has always had a passion for management Upon Stoke’s relegation, Grant secured a surprise move to Man United on a two-year deal. He made only two appearances for the Red Devils, one of which was a start in the Europa League as United lost 2-1 away to Atalanta. Grant eventually called time on his career in May 2022, where he immediately joined Ipswich in a coaching capacity. The ex-goalkeeper spoke about his desire and passion for management whilst at Ipswich and working under McKenna. He recalled his time at Man United and told The Athletic in January: “I would sit with Paul Pogba and pick his brain. “People used to see Paul in a certain light because he was a big character. I wanted to know: how would I handle Paul if I was a manager? So I’d ask him directly: ‘Paul, when I’m managing in a few years, how do I handle Paul Pogba? What do I do to get the best out of you?’. “I remember having a similar conversation with Anthony Martial when he was upset about something. “I spent time with Juan Mata, who had won the World Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup — the lot. “I wanted to know about Nemanja Matic, too. Why was Nemanja so respected in this dressing room? Why did Paul Pogba respect Nemanja so much? Why was it that some players looked up to Paul and felt they couldn’t criticise him, but Nemanja could? “Honestly, I would be taking notes. Somebody on the outside might think: ‘But you didn’t play very much in those four years, you didn’t do a great deal’. No — I did a lot. “That time was huge for me — hence why I am here now. I’d like to think Kieran saw something in me.”

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Ex-Manchester United player lands first managerial job with EFL club in surprise move

Huddersfield Town has announced ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Lee Grant as their new manager.

Grant will join from Ipswich Town, where he was one of their first-team coaches under Kieran McKenna.

Goalkeeper: Lee Grant (Stoke City) – Click the right arrow above to see our underrated XI… — Grant has landed his first managerial role

Huddersfield owner and chairman Kevin Nagle expressed his delight at landing Grant having been impressed by the former goalkeeper in every meeting.

“Each time I have met with Lee and discussed the Club, he has presented detailed ideas, been passionate about the way he has described his way of playing football and shown a desire to succeed and take on this opportunity that propelled him beyond other candidates,” Nagle said.

“Throughout our due diligence, it was clear how impressive Lee’s coaching work was, and his reputation couldn’t have been higher with everyone who has crossed his path. Playing his part in successful teams both on and off the pitch over the course of his career to date, that’s a habit we believe he will be well positioned to continue at Town.

“We will support Lee and work together to build a team to help us achieve our goals this season, and beyond. His values and ambition aligns with our own, and I look forward to seeing him lead our First Team into another important campaign ahead.”

The 42-year-old replaces Michael Duff, who was axed in brutal fashion by the League One outfit last March.

Duff was sacked by the Terriers a day after they lost 1-0 to Bristol Rovers in a result that saw them drop out of the play-off positions.

Huddersfield, who were a Premier League club as recently as 2019, finished the 2024/25 campaign in 10th and 14 points away from the play-off positions.

They have now entrusted Grant, who has never managed before, with the task of getting the club back into the Championship.

Grant enjoyed a playing career as a goalkeeper that spanned an impressive 22 years.

He made his professional debut in September 2002 for Derby County, where he went on to make 79 appearances in total.

The 42-year-old has been tasked with getting the Terriers out of the third tier

Grant quickly became a reliable presence between the sticks for Championship clubs as he moved between Sheffield United, Burnley and even returned to Derby before he got his shot as a Premier League gloveman in August 2016 with Stoke City.

He initially joined the Potters on a six-month loan to provide cover for the injured Jack Butland.

But his move became permanent in the January window having kept an impressive six clean sheets from 15 league appearances.

In fact, Grant kept his place in the starting line-up at Stoke until Butland’s return from injury in April 2017.

So impressive were Grant’s performances, he earned Stoke’s player of the year award for the 2016/17 campaign as the Potters ultimately finished 13th in the Premier League.

Grant was consigned to back-up duties behind Butland for the following season as Stoke’s 10-year stay in the top flight came to a devastating end.

Grant has always had a passion for management

Upon Stoke’s relegation, Grant secured a surprise move to Man United on a two-year deal.

He made only two appearances for the Red Devils, one of which was a start in the Europa League as United lost 2-1 away to Atalanta.

Grant eventually called time on his career in May 2022, where he immediately joined Ipswich in a coaching capacity.

The ex-goalkeeper spoke about his desire and passion for management whilst at Ipswich and working under McKenna.

He recalled his time at Man United and told The Athletic in January: “I would sit with Paul Pogba and pick his brain.

“People used to see Paul in a certain light because he was a big character. I wanted to know: how would I handle Paul if I was a manager? So I’d ask him directly: ‘Paul, when I’m managing in a few years, how do I handle Paul Pogba? What do I do to get the best out of you?’.

“I remember having a similar conversation with Anthony Martial when he was upset about something.

“I spent time with Juan Mata, who had won the World Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup — the lot.

“I wanted to know about Nemanja Matic, too. Why was Nemanja so respected in this dressing room? Why did Paul Pogba respect Nemanja so much? Why was it that some players looked up to Paul and felt they couldn’t criticise him, but Nemanja could?

“Honestly, I would be taking notes. Somebody on the outside might think: ‘But you didn’t play very much in those four years, you didn’t do a great deal’. No — I did a lot.

“That time was huge for me — hence why I am here now. I’d like to think Kieran saw something in me.”