The Canaries' goalkeeping coach saga took another twist over the weekend as former target Tommy Wright resigned as manager of Northern Irish outfit Ballymena United.
The former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper was offered the vacant Norwich post in the New Year after the departure of Jim Hollman but decided to stay with the Carnegie Premier League side.
However, despite dismissing the notion that he had another role in football lined up, the speculation of a Carrow Road arrival will be inevitable – especially with City's Championship safety now secured after that hugely satisfying 3-0 victory over QPR at the weekend.
Club liaison and Canaries legend Bryan Gunn stepped in to fill the vacancy after former Wimbledon boss Stuart Murdoch's u-turn when, despite being newly-installed in the post, he decided a move from his Brighton home was not in the family's best interests.
But whilst David Marshall and Co have admitted they are relishing the chance to work alongside Gunn, it is not thought that City chief Glenn Roeder sees the Scot as a long term option.
And with Wright now a free agent, it will certainly be a case of 'watch this space'?
“I did not take the decision lightly but I have become disillusioned with certain aspects of the game and perhaps have taken Ballymena as far as I could,” the former Northern Irish international told the BBC.
With the Showgrounds club safe in mid-table but a whopping 30 points off champions-elect Linfield, it seems Wright has reached the end of the road with Ballymena.
And with a possible return to England on the cards, Wright revealed there were other factors at work when making the decision to part company with United.
“I have some personal reasons too that mean the time is right to move on. But I enjoyed my time at the club and I think we have made progress.”
Wright joined the Sky Blues from Limavady United but failed to end the club's long barren spell without a trophy success.
But the 44-year-old revealed that when he was offered the chance of a new career in Norfolk, he remained loyal to Ballymena ? a decision, in hindsight, he may now regret.
“It would have been easy to resign when we were going badly at the start of the season or when Norwich invited me to join them as goalkeeping coach in January.
“But since the end of February I have become a bit disillusioned and maybe the fact that I have been full-time has worked against me.
“Perhaps I took on too much in terms of my work at the club and that has taken its toll on me. When it affects your personal life, it is time to call it a day.
“I am leaving behind a good squad of young players who I think can do well in this league.”
But in a statement sure to keep Canary supporters guessing, Wright insisted there was no job ? at Carrow Road or elsewhere ? for him to walk into.
A bit of R&R will be on the cards but with Roeder likely to want his best laid plans in place sooner rather than later, then a possible second move for Wright may be forthcoming.
With City guaranteed to be playing Championship football next year, the financial picture should be clearer and with Darren Huckerby, Mark Fotheringham and Gary Doherty all out of contract ? on top of the goalkeeping coach opening ? it promises to be interesting few weeks.
But, for now, Wright was toeing the party line?
“I am going to relax and take a total break from football, there is no hidden agenda. I have nothing else lined up and it is the right decision for me, my family and Ballymena United.”
Tom Haylett
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