Huddersfield Town appoint Chris Markham as sporting director
The former Bolton Wanderers sporting director returns for a second spell at Accu Stadium
Chris Markham has returned to Huddersfield Town as their new sporting director with immediate effect, overseeing all aspects of the football operations for the men’s, women’s and academy teams.
Markham had a seven-year spell at Town from 2009 to January 2017, serving as head of performance analysis in a period that saw the Terriers rise from League One to being firmly on their way to the Premier League.
He then took up a similar role with the FA, working with the England men’s and women’s sides from 2017 to 2021, before moving to Bolton Wanderers first as technical performance director and then sporting director from summer 2023. He left the club in February.
During Markham’s time at Bolton, the Trotters went from the bottom half of League Two to winning the Vertu Trophy in 2023 and competing for promotion from League One, including reaching the play-off final in 2024.
Markham said in a club statement: “It’s a complete honour to be back at Huddersfield Town, and I’m extremely thankful to Kevin Nagle and Jake Edwards for affording me this opportunity.
“Much like the club, I’ve grown and evolved in the time since I left almost 10 years ago, and this feels like the perfect time in both my life and career to take on this role.
“I look forward to further establishing and building on progressive relationships with Lee [Grant], Glen [Preston] and Jon [Worthington] across the men’s, women’s and academy groups, and getting to grips with our sporting operations in all areas.
“Ensuring we have the correct strategy, workflow, functions and structures to prosper in all areas will be an immediate focus of mine, with the intention being that the Club is positioned for success in both the short and long-term.
“I’ve never kept it a secret what this club means to me, and I’ve always kept a keen eye on our fortunes.
“Reuniting with old faces and getting to know those new, it’s an incredibly exciting time for Town and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to contribute as we look to realise our ambitions in the years to come.”
Town’s sporting director position had been vacant since Mark Cartwright was dismissed from the role in April.
Club chairman Kevin Nagle had spoken of the club’s desire to appoint a new sporting director early in the summer, but ultimately stuck with chief executive Jake Edwards and manager Lee Grant leading the club’s recruitment heading into the new season.
Edwards said of Markham’s appointment: “First and foremost, we’re incredibly excited to have Chris join us at such a pivotal time in our growth as a club, and his desire to return to Town was evident right from our very first conversation.
“Fully supported in this appointment by chairman Kevin Nagle, Chris’ arrival is a reflection of our expansion under Kevin’s ownership, securing another key figure within our organisation.
“A familiar face in HD1, Chris has an innate care for the club and shares our aspirations, embarking on an impressive career in the years since departing.
“With the remit of the role changing in line with our broadened footballing focusses, bringing Chris back to the club reflects the breadth of the responsibility with men’s, women’s and academy football all central to our long-term goals and ambitions.
“A key voice across all footballing departments, Chris will be able to ensure the direction of our technical strategies and infrastructure remain progressive and in line with our wider aims. As an experienced sounding board and collaborator for Lee Grant, Glen Preston and Jon Worthington, Chris becomes a central part of our sporting leadership.
“Acting as a bridge between our wonderful staff across both the Accu Stadium and Canalside, we were clear in the summer that this appointment wouldn’t be rushed, and have taken the time to review the needs of all of our sides, rethinking the role and making an appointment we feel best serves both our current and long-term ambitions.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I’d like to be the first to formally welcome Chris back to Huddersfield Town, and wish him the very best of luck here with us.”