Luton's League One rivals sack ex-Manchester United keeper as manager

Luton Town’s League One rivals Huddersfield Town have sacked manager Lee Grant following their 3-1 defeat against Burton Albion on Saturday.

The Terriers, who Town visit next Tuesday night, had handed the former Burnley, Derby County and Manchester United goalkeeper his first managerial role in the summer after being first team coach at Ipswich Town for the last three years, and had a decent enough enough start to his time at the John Smith’s Stadium, before losing five successive games in October.

The 42-year-old recovered to win three matches in a row before a 2-1 defeat to Luton at Kenilworth Road in November led to a sequence of just three victories from 12 third tier matches, as back-to-back defeats to Burton and Stockport County means they are sixth in the table, level on points with the Hatters.

However, performances levels are clearly not up to scratch for the Terriers hierarchy as an official statement at the weekend said: “Lee Grant has been relieved of his duties as Huddersfield Town manager with immediate effect. The decision was made following Saturday afternoon’s loss at Burton Albion, with the result extending a poor run of form that has seen the club victorious just three times in our last 12 Sky Bet League One fixtures. Appointed in May 2025, Grant took charge of 36 competitive matches in all competitions. Sporting director Chris Markham will lead the recruitment process to appoint a successor for our men’s first team.”

Huddersfield Town owner and chairman Kevin Nagle added: “Entering this season with renewed optimism and hope having proactively reshaped our first team throughout the summer, we were clear about not only our ambitions but how we wanted to achieve them, and the type of team on the pitch we wanted to enjoy alongside our supporters.

“Sadly, on current form, none of those objectives are being met, and with just under half of the season remaining we feel no other option but to make a change to put the side back on track. I would like to thank Lee for his efforts and wish him nothing but the best for his future career. Our previously stated aims and desires for the season remain the same, and we will be making a change with those ambitions still firmly in mind.”