FORMER Burnley boss Stan Ternent today parted company with Huddersfield Town – but Terriers midfielder Jon Worthington admits the players must take some blame for his departure.
Ternent, 62, left the Terriers by mutual consent six months after replacing Andy Ritchie in May, with the objective of reaching the play-offs in the club’s centenary season.
Assistant manager Ronnie Jepson and coach Mick Docherty – both former Clarets players and whom were part of Ternent’s back-room staff at Turf Moor – have also left the Galpharm Stadium, along with Terriers vice-chairman Andrew Watson, the former Burnley chief executive, who was instrumental in Ternent’s appointment.
Ternent signed 11 players during the summer, but a new-look Town side have failed to gel, languishing 16th in League One after winning just four of 15 league games, and there has been growing unrest among fans.
However, Worthington, who lost the captain’s armband under Ternent, admits the players must shoulder some responsibility for the club’s miserable form.
He said: “Without doubt the players have to accept some responsibility.
“The manager picks the team, but it’s the players who have to perform and we haven’t done that consistently this season.”
Ternent’s appointment at Huddersfield came three years after his previous managerial job at Gillingham came to an end.
He enjoyed great success during his six-year managerial stint at Burnley, guiding the Clarets to promotion from the former Division Three in 1999.
But after a poor start to the current League One season, despite strong player-investment, Town’s chairman-elect Dean Hoyle said a change was needed at the Yorkshire club.
“It's been a bit of a whirlwind,” said Hoyle.
“I sat down and had a 15-minute conversation with Stan on Monday and we had a difference of opinion on how to take the club forward.
“The management felt we had to go one way, but the board of directors felt we had to go another way.
“As a result, we came to the unanimous decision to go our separate ways.
"As sad as it is, it’s the best thing for the club at this moment in time.
“We shook hands and I wish Stan, Ronnie and Doc all the best – they are good lads and it is a shame it has come to this, but Huddersfield Town has to move on.
“Regardless of what you think of Stan as a person, we have to understand that we have changed his life and those of Ronnie, Mick and Andrew.
“It’s not easy when people leave. But, at the same time, we have to get on with it.”
On his depature, Watson said he was honoured to have worked at Huddersfield.
The 41-year-old joined the Terriers from Turf Moor in 2003, and has been credited with transforming the Yorkshire club’s commercial activities.
“It has been an honour to serve the club as a fan, a young player for three years, and director for five,” said Watson.
“I thank Ken Davy for giving me that opportunity.
“Ken, Dean and the rest of the board have become great personal friends and that won’t change.
“I am now looking forward to going back to being a Town fan.”
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