Former Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner has issued a heartfelt thank you to the club after leaving by mutual consent on Monday.
The German, 47, leaves with the Terriers at the bottom of the Premier League having guided them to the top flight in 2017 via the play-offs.
The club said his departure was a "truly joint decision" as Wagner needed a break from management.
Wagner said the club made his family feel like "true Huddersfield 'folk'".
"I'm sad to be leaving, but I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved at Huddersfield Town. This club is now in my heart and ultimately, I want what is best for its future," he said.
Wagner joined the club in November 2015 and kept them in the Premier League last season with a 16th-place finish.
Town chairman Dean Hoyle called it a "sad day", adding that Wagner's achievements over the past three and a half years had surpassed his "wildest expectations" and make him one of the greats of the club.
'We've achieved unbelievable things' - Wagner's letter in full
As I leave Huddersfield Town, I want to say thank you.
From the very first day that [wife] Christoph and I arrived in Huddersfield, you have made us feel like part of your group. Our families and I will always remember this.
Our children have grown up here for part of their lives and we all now consider ourselves true Huddersfield 'folk'!
Together, we have achieved unbelievable things; we made the dream of Premier League football for Huddersfield Town a reality.
That only happened because of this incredible togetherness that was unique to this club and, again, I must thank you, the tremendous supporters of this club, for making this possible. The bond between the players and the fans is something you had to experience to believe.
I'd also like to thank every player for their efforts on the pitch; ultimately, they are the ones who had to go out onto the grass and make this possible. They deserve all the credit they received.
Thanks also to every member of my technical staff and the staff behind the scenes at the club. We have some superb people at Huddersfield Town who have played big, big roles in making our success possible.
My final thanks go to the board of directors, and Dean Hoyle in particular. In the same way that I took a chance on this club, Huddersfield Town took a chance on me; one that has paid off in every way. I have a special relationship with Dean that transcends chairman and head coach and he gave me every support he could. We will always be good friends.
I'm sad to be leaving, but I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved at Huddersfield Town. This club is now in my heart and ultimately, I want what is best for its future.
I will be supporting them from afar this weekend when Mark Hudson leads the team against Manchester City and I wish him, the staff, the players and you, the fans, all the luck in the world. I hope we see the true Terrier spirit that we can all be proud of.
HazardousAguero
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He’d walk into a Bundesliga job.
Well, he did.
enjoying
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Will always love this man though, brought so much life back to the club. Look forward to seeing him back in football
Tuesdayman
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Ahh that’s shocking and guttering really. Really has been a hard season for them, seemed to lose their way in style this year
pololove
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Sad. I don't know who they hope to get in that's better or what they do with that squad of players to do (much) better than they are doing now and sad that he (seemingly) felt he couldn't continue.
Casio
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None of us will ever forget what he's done for us, you could tell the poor run lately was affecting him especially when he took responsibility last week in an interview. At least we had these 3 years, seriously unforgettable.
Proshkin
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Feel very sorry for him, he's clearly a great manager but there isn't much anybody could do with the squad at hand.
MacBook
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Surprised to hear this, thought he'd be a great manager for getting them back in the prem in the upcoming championship seasons. I wonder which manager will over take this sinking ship of a premier league team.
Kongka
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Feel like this has to be more of a Wagner decision than it is a sacking. He probably feels as though he’s done as well as he possibly ever could with Huddersfield, so it must be pretty draining knowing you’re at maximum levels but are gonna get relegated
happylife
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We owe this man so much. I wish you well in the future David, I know you will do well. We owe it to him to try and survive, or failing that bounce back.
wishing
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Oh wow, I thought he would stick with them until the end of the season atleast, maybe even in the Championship. Big surprise to me, he did great things in his first season in the Prem with (no offence) one of the worst squads in the PL I've seen in a long time
biscuit
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Genuinely heartbreaking. The joy this man has brought not only to me, but to my hometown can’t be overstated.
Radionicse
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Wagner seemed like a great bloke and I don't think anyone they can get in now would have a better chance of keeping them up
Adolphus
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That’s a surprise and a shame. Wagner definitely overachieved with them and I thought he liked the club a lot. Why would he do it?
building
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I'm actually in shock... This man gave me some of the greatest days of my life... And the best days of supporting this football club. He brought in likeable players, played great football with them and leaves us with the club in the best position its ever been him... Whoever comes in to replace has some massive shoes to fill.
Kongka
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Saw the note from the chairman, it's great to see that kind of trust between a manager and a club and I hope the break gives Wagner some peace.
isolationh
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Very sad that it's come to this really, but I saw it coming. He's been a miracle worker up until this season but had some really bad luck combined with poor recruitment. With the losing run he and the players lost confidence in themselves.
materialism
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Incredibly sad, he allowed us to dream. However, it needed to be done in order to have a chance at survival. He will always be a legend no matter what, but it’s painful.
face44
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Devistated mate. Might have been going down but the best years at Town we've had in a long time.
aosasuna
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I’m absolutely gutted, guy worked miracles for us. Best manager we’ve had in my 25 plus years following Town. Will be cheering on whichever team he goes to next, he’ll always be a legend here.
funv
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How do Huddersfield fans feel about this
korean
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respectful statement. It wasn't working out unfortunately. Sad to see him go but what can you do
oldest
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Wagner was Huddersfield and Huddersfield was Wagner, he gave us an identity. Feels like a death in the family.
Terry13
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He’d walk into a Bundesliga job.
Merlelin
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Genuinely heartbroken. Seems like he's gone of his own accord. Top man, sad to see him go like this.
Landtiger
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Thats surprising. Did not think he would leave even if they got relegated.
wozenm
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One of my favourites was him doing chants in the square by the train station, knowing all the words, he loves the club.
osoniouk
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Absolutely gutted. Gave me my happiest moments as a town fan, love you Dave