Adrian Boothroyd, who has parted with Watford in similar circumstances, has been installed as the bookmakers' red-hot favourite to succeed Ternent, but Town's chairman-elect Dean Hoyle will bide his time.

He told the club's official website: "We will attract the right manager, because Huddersfield Town is not hard to sell. There are good managers in work and good managers out of work - we'll have to see what happens. We need time to reflect.

"(Director of football development) Gerry Murphy will be in charge of the first-team this weekend, with Graham Mitchell alongside him. He will stabilise the ship and bring a bit of calm to the situation."

Hoyle added: "I think we could go for quite a while to be honest. The appointment may be made this week or in six weeks. The important thing is that we get the right man to take us forward.

"I think we have all suffered for too long. I think our fans know where we want to go and if they can see that I'm trying to get us there with the right culture, I think they will support me and give me their full backing."