Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for February.
The manager stayed true to his principles during a blip around the turn of the year and drew his reward in February, with his side collecting 16 points from six games and earning deserved home wins over promotion rivals Brighton, Leeds and Reading.Wagner said: “As was the case in August, I only accept the February Manager of the Month award on behalf of every player, member of staff and everyone else connected with this special club, Huddersfield Town.
“We enjoyed such good results because of the excellent, consistent level of performance from every player in the squad. That happens because of self-belief, trust in each other and hard work every day at the training ground.
“I’m very proud of everyone in this group; it is a pleasure to work with this squad and staff.”
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Huddersfield Town have had an exceptional February, which has given them a realistic chance of gaining automatic promotion.
“David has moulded the team to play a very expansive style of football which is attractive and exciting to watch.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “For much of January it appeared that the race for automatic promotion from the Championship was all but done, but Huddersfield weren't giving up the fight to catch the top two just yet and are now in contention after a series of great wins during February.
“They steamrollered Brighton - a very rare thing over the last couple of seasons - and beat Leeds and Reading at home whilst negotiating difficult away fixtures at Barnsley and QPR to go into March with a realistic chance of reeling the runaway leaders back in."
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “As the Championship run in looks to become a three horse race the current outsider Huddersfield remain an absolute revelation under Wagner.
“Fancied for nothing more than a solid mid table finish during pre-season it is Wagner’s men that held things together during February to move away from the rest of the chasing pack and put some real pressure on Newcastle."
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town manager George Burley, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman, EFL Marketing Director Drew Barrand, League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.