Huddersfield Town are reportedly eyeing former Sacramento Republic head coach Mark Briggs as they search for a new permanent manager.
Briggs, 43, is out of work after leaving the USL Championship side in November. The Englishman enjoyed a successful five-year tenure at Sacramento, leading them to the 2022 U.S. Open Cup final and knocking out multiple MLS teams along the way.
Huddersfield owner Kevin Nagle, who also serves as chairman of Sacramento Republic, is well aware of Briggs’ work and his desire to manage in the English Football League.
Terriers in transition after Duff’s departure
Huddersfield sacked Michael Duff earlier this week following a poor run of form, which saw them lose four of their last five League One matches. The Terriers now sit seventh in the table, two points outside the play-off places and ten points adrift of the top six.
The club confirmed that Jon Worthington will take charge until the end of the season, but reports suggest they are already evaluating candidates for the summer.
According to talkSPORT, Briggs is among the names being considered for the role.
Briggs’ coaching journey
A Wolverhampton-born former midfielder, Briggs played for 20 different clubs during his career before moving into coaching in the United States. He worked as an assistant at Wilmington Hammerheads and Real Monarchs before taking charge of both clubs.
Briggs was appointed Sacramento Republic head coach in 2019, where he built a reputation for tactical organisation and player development. His highlight came in 2022 when he guided the club to the U.S. Open Cup final, an achievement that brought widespread recognition.
Despite his success in the US, the Huddersfield job would be his first managerial role in English football.
A bold and unexpected choice?
While Briggs’ familiarity with Nagle makes the link logical, his lack of experience in the English game could raise concerns about his suitability for a competitive League One environment.
His points-per-game record in the USL Championship is strong, but managing a club with promotion aspirations in a physically demanding league like League One presents a different challenge.
Writer’s view
Huddersfield’s next managerial appointment is crucial as they push for promotion back to the Championship. Briggs’ success in America shows he has coaching ability, but whether that translates to English football remains to be seen.
If the Terriers opt for Briggs, it would be a bold and unconventional choice. However, with Nagle’s backing and a squad already challenging for the play-offs, he could be given the platform to prove himself in the EFL.
