Huddersfield Town appoint Danny Cowley as new manager

Huddersfield agreed compensation with the Imps, with the Cowley brothers set to take charge for the first time in Sunday's home match against Sheffield Wednesday.

A club statement said the pair had been identified as "first choice for this appointment after an extensive and detailed search".

Chairman Phil Hodgkinson added on the club website: "From the outset, (head of football operations) David Webb and I knew how important this next appointment is for the club.

"We undertook a very detailed and thorough process to identify the right person to lead the first team forward, first outlining the qualities we were looking for in the right candidate and then establishing which managers matched them.

"Our research, due diligence and work resulted in a shortlist of four candidates, and Danny Cowley was number one."

The Cowley brothers led Lincoln back to the English Football League in 2017 and, having lost out in the League Two play-offs, won the title last term.

The pair wrote an open letter to Lincoln fans explaining their decision.

"The past three-and-a-half years have been so unbelievably special. It has simply been a fairy tale for Nicky and I," the statement on the Lincoln website read.

"More than the trophies it has been the special relationships that we have created with so many people at all levels of the football club.

"So why leave, you ask...? Nicky and I have a burning ambition to challenge ourselves at the highest possible level. We don't know if an opportunity as good as this one will come around again and we never want to live with regret.

"It has been the greatest privileges for Nicky and I, to manage Lincoln City FC.

"We will never ever forget the support we have had and know that we would not be in this fortunate position without all of you."