Football News Update: Huddersfield Town Relegated to League One
Huddersfield Town will be playing League One football next season for the first time in over a decade. The Terriers endured a tough 2023/24 Championship season, which culminated in their eventual relegation to the third tier, alongside Rotherham United and Birmingham City.
Former manager Andre Breitenreiter was relieved of his duties, and Michael Duff, the former Barnsley and Swansea City boss, took the helm ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Duff faces a significant challenge as Huddersfield will be looking for an immediate return to the second tier next season.
One decision the club has made regarding their squad for next season could come back to haunt them. 34-year-old striker Jordan Rhodes, who had an exceptional first half of the 2023/24 season on loan at League One club Blackpool, was released upon the expiry of his contract this summer. The Tangerines quickly secured the veteran forward on a permanent deal, leaving Huddersfield to potentially regret their decision.
Rhodes’ Impressive Loan Spell at Blackpool
During his loan spell at Bloomfield Road, Rhodes displayed his goal-scoring prowess. In his first 19 league games, the striker scored a staggering 15 goals, including a hat-trick against Reading and a brace against Carlisle United. He quickly became a fan favorite, scoring 11 goals in his first 10 home league games.
While his second half of the season was not as prolific due to injury, Rhodes had done enough to win over the Blackpool supporters, leading the club to secure him on a permanent deal this summer.
Huddersfield’s Missed Opportunity
Huddersfield’s relegation means they will be in the same division as Blackpool next season, and Rhodes could easily come back to haunt his former club. The Terriers struggled for goals last season, with their centre-back Michal Helik being their top-scorer with nine goals. Retaining Rhodes could have provided a much-needed boost to their attacking options.
The last time Huddersfield were in League One, Rhodes was their top scorer with a remarkable 40 goals in all competitions. While this was over a decade ago, the club should have considered giving the experienced forward one final run in Michael Duff’s side.
If Blackpool can build a solid team around Rhodes next season, they could be strong contenders for promotion, which would undoubtedly impact Huddersfield’s hopes of an immediate return to the Championship.
The Terriers may come to regret releasing such an accomplished and dominant striker, as his goal-scoring ability in the third tier could prove invaluable for their rivals, Blackpool.
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