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City may be seen as the unglamorous underdog, but is that all about to change?

City may be seen as the unglamorous underdog, but is that all about to change?

12th November 2021 By Samuel Seaman 24 Comments

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Judging by the fact that three of the names linked with becoming City’s head coach are former Chelsea, Aston Villa and RB Leipzig managers, the club may not be quite as unfashionable as some would have us believe.

That list omits Kjetil Knutsen, a relative hipster’s choice among the big names predictably attracting the most external interest but one of the most sought after and talked about football coaches in Europe at present; a man who recently led Bodo/Glimt, Norway’s representation in the Europa Conference League, to a 6-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

The Canaries have been the subject of ridicule over the past few months, and while criticism is rightfully expected of the Premier League’s bottom club, the vociferousness of the national dislike has felt more personal than usual.

City’s sporting director Stuart Webber has also keenly felt this tone, saying: “There has been too much noise and negativity around our club, a lot of which has been unfair. 

“Look at a few of the truths. We spent the 11th most money in the last transfer window across Europe. We invested heavily in our coaching team in the summer to give them new contracts and reward them for excellent work. We’ve got a Premier League training ground and facilities.

“I need to put on record that this is a football club who are having a proper go, who believe we are good enough, believe in our work and believe in our players. Some of the scandalous things which have been said about us are wrong.”

Webber continued, “And, yes, the only way to turn that around and prove people wrong is by winning games. We have all been in the industry long enough to know that. 

“But to say we have not had a go or to question whether we have accepted relegation already after nine games is a disgrace.”

There’s no doubting the fact that at the time Webber gave that round of interviews he was hoping not to have to part with his head coach, but after the following 2-1 defeat to Leeds United made his mind up. Daniel Farke’s sacking has created an opportunity to hit back at those critics.

The horizon is foggy in NR1 at present, but any Norwich fans totally devoid of excitement are denying themselves anticipation that doesn’t come around very often.

The hole left by Farke has been the subject of rumour en masse since it was created, with almost every unemployed manager having their hat thrown into the ring, voluntarily or otherwise. 

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre was briefly floated as a potential name on a list. As was Russell Martin. As was Roy Hodgson. Chris Hughton, Steve Bruce, even Sam Allardyce; the list goes on.

For such a seemingly hate-able club, Norwich have received a surprising amount of interest from ex-Champions League players and coaches, and a curious amount of attention from the outlets who once tarred them with the ‘don’t have a go’ brush.

Frank Lampard, winner of every major accolade he competed for as a player, is clearly a driven man and would not even entertain the idea of managing a club that failed to match his ambition.

Also impressed by the job on offer was Dean Smith, who is said to be very keen on a move to City despite losing his boyhood dream role just days before being interviewed by Webber.

Whether either of that pair are a positive proposition comes down to personal opinion, but there must be reassurance in knowing that men with their CVs would love to work for you.

As the managerial carousel continues to progress with velocity and the property ladder-like movements go on, the Premier League’s previously least trendy club are at the heart of things and will be awarding one lucky candidate the most desirable job in the country. They consistently feature on the online home pages and the printed back pages.

On-pitch matters may not be going as City fans had hoped for, but in the media a Pretty Woman story is forming and Norwich are playing the Julia Roberts role. Webber will just be hoping that he makes the correct appointment because if he doesn’t it could be a big mistake. Huge.


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Filed Under: Column, Samuel Seaman

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Comments

  1. canaryjim says

    12th November 2021 at 2:48 pm

    Lost All Faith in Webber I think he is clueless if I’m honest – I hope he gets it wrong which it sounds like he will and then Neil can take over.
    Sure he has sorted the facilities out – maybe that is what he should stick to.

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    Reply
  2. martin penney says

    12th November 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Hi Samuel

    I’d prefer Knutsen over the other two myself but that does NOT make me a wannabe hipster. I don’t sport an Edwardian beard, don’t live in the Golden Triangle and it’s jeans, Nikes, a HM band T and leather jacket for me until the devil comes a-knockin’!

    Apart from that, another good article from yourself that I very much enjoyed reading 😉

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  3. canaryjim says

    12th November 2021 at 3:29 pm

    And I guarantee now Lampard thankfully turned us down we will get smith (another totally uninspired appointment) because they simply cannot be bothered to look elsewhere and do some research , this man needs to leave asap !!

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  4. canaryjim says

    12th November 2021 at 3:57 pm

    And as much as I hate Lampard even he can see us for what we are Pathetic !

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  5. Tim Ball says

    12th November 2021 at 4:05 pm

    So Samuel, Frank Lampard has ruled himself out of the running.

    So what has happened there. It seemed Frank was well odds on to be manager yesterday.
    It may well be that this is not our doing but Glasgow Rangers tempting Frank with a perceived better job..

    But Dean Smith has flown off to America, so he looks unlikely.

    And it now looks like neither Frank nor Dean were convinced by the City board to take the job.

    So if it is KK then I won’t be unhappy.

    But this looks an absolute mess to me. I urge all City supporters to read Iwan Roberts column in the Pinkun today. I agree with every word.

    Daniel Farke was sacked last Saturday, 15-30 minutes after our first win of the season. And here we are nearly a week later and still non the wiser as to his replacement.

    We pride ourselves in doing things the right way. Delia and Stuart’s treatment of Farke has been nothing like the right way.

    Villa sacked Dean Smith on the Sunday and already have a new manager, we look a laughing stock yet again.

    To excuse the haste of the Farke sacking we needed this done now.

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    • MM says

      12th November 2021 at 6:05 pm

      I understand Roberts POV but we had to change DF, it was turning to a nightmare. How it happened and when, yeap, poorly done.
      The real issue here is that it should have been done 4 weeks ago.

      Reply
      • Tony says

        13th November 2021 at 10:50 am

        Yeah, but we didn’t and look at the mess we are in now. Ridiculous action sacking a manager when we have won at last. Crazy.

        Reply
  6. Tim Ball says

    12th November 2021 at 4:10 pm

    Just a PS Samuel.

    Some of the names being bandied about are ridiculous, Russell Martin, Chris Hughton, Sam Allardyce etc, etc.

    I think Daniel Farke or my mate Marty have better chances !!! And I am being serious.

    Reply
  7. Chris says

    12th November 2021 at 4:18 pm

    Not by the looks of it, no.

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  8. Tim N says

    12th November 2021 at 4:48 pm

    The manager hunt starting to look like a bit of a fiasco. Surely they did not fire DF without having a strong idea of who they wanted. In fact they should have started covert discussions before firing DF. Especially if they knew they were going to get rid of him whatever the outcome of the match v Brentford. The Pink Un guys have made themselves look a bit out of touch with their podcast the other day. That pod pretty much anointing Lampard as the new boss. How has that worked out now FL has ruled himself out. Dean Smith the front runner! Was he not still boss of AV when we got rid of DF? If so did SW ditch his preferred list of candidates, if he even had one, to then put DS as one of his must haves? Did not take Villa long to get Stevie G in place. I guess it shows how much of a harder sell it is to get someone for Norwich. The longer this drags on the more I wish we had kept faith with DF. Surely they have to have this sorted before the end of the weekend.

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    • Chris S says

      12th November 2021 at 6:23 pm

      Suspect a few people have turned us down for us to get this far in with no idea who we’re going to get. Hopefully we end up with someone who REALLY wants the job rather than for what job they might get next. At least Farke was committed and believed in us as a footballing force.

      Reply
    • Alex B says

      12th November 2021 at 6:27 pm

      Not sure you can call this a fiasco as City have not uttered a word on who it will possibly be it is all media hipe and agents pushing their clients interest.

      City haven’t confirmed there’s been interviews but all will become clear over the next few days

      Reply
  9. Midfield Mike says

    12th November 2021 at 5:37 pm

    Lampard clearly just found out that Norwich, that remote isolated place he previously visited once or twice a season for a one sided slaughter fest, only pays their pop stars the same as a YMCA candidate at the Bridge, “No Frank, that’s annually, not per week….”

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    • Adrian says

      13th November 2021 at 10:20 am

      Yep, thirty quid a week plus a signed copy of Delia’s cookbook just wasn’t enough 🤣

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  10. Herr Cutz says

    12th November 2021 at 5:56 pm

    The answer is no. The way that the football world sees us is not about to change.

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    • Chris says

      12th November 2021 at 6:09 pm

      Only one thing would change that.

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  11. The Boy Billy says

    12th November 2021 at 6:36 pm

    IF ONLY the Board had moved a few weeks earlier – and they MUST have had in their minds to sack DF after the Chelsea thrashing – we could have Eddie Howe on board and been well under way with the new regime…
    Instead, because of the usual hesitation and dither, we have lost the perfect fit to Newcastle and are now scratting around, looking to shoehorn ANO into the job…. none of whom will be as good a fit. Eddie ticked every imaginable box!
    God…. it’s hard staying loyal to this crew…..

    1
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  12. Mystic kev says

    12th November 2021 at 7:08 pm

    We heard all this ballshit last time and farker turned up disappointed no .so many red herrings again remember Alex Neil it’s obvious our next manager is still employed otherwise would’ve been in by now

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  13. Tony says

    12th November 2021 at 7:45 pm

    Can we have Farke back now? We are going to end up with a worse manager.

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  14. Bernard Owen says

    12th November 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Lampards apparently pulled out , Rangers anyone,and Dean Smith is reportedly considering his position.
    So the great succession planned by Webber looks iffy. If only he’d done the hard yards before sacking Farke.

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  15. Catton canary says

    12th November 2021 at 10:03 pm

    I think it’s time we replaced Webber.. If we end up with Smith it proves there was no succession plan. The guy is gambling with the club’s future playing a game trying to buck the system to boost his own ego.. Villa has a better academy than ours. It always has had. Their young teams always beat ours. That was happening long before Smith went there. When John Terry left they started losing. They have infinitely more resources than us but DF beat them out of sight in our promotion season. How is this an upgrade??? When did give it to Grealish represent tactical acumen?
    This is little Norwich writ large. Not good enough for Villa but good enough for Norwich. I hope this isn’t true but I fear it is. As for Smith he has come out of his ‘dream’ job. He couldn’t even get Buendia firing. Failed coach and failed recruitment if this is true.

    Reply
  16. mystic kev says

    13th November 2021 at 8:38 am

    Hes hardly a failed coach prometed walshall brentford villa and kept them up dont fancy him here though

    Reply
  17. Tony says

    13th November 2021 at 10:47 am

    Laughably we must be about to recruit the only manager in the League whose recent form record is worse than Farke.

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    • Chris says

      13th November 2021 at 3:13 pm

      Thomas frank? 😀

      1
      Reply

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