So, what has felt inevitable for a long time has finally happened. Dean Smith is no more. What at the time seemed a baffling decision has ended as many predicted it would – in disaster.
Smith’s record as the Head Coach of Norwich is abysmal, finishing his tenure with an average of 1.09 points per game, less than Chris Houghton (1.16), Peter Grant (1.21) and Glenn Roeder (1.15).
The flowing football that fans were promised never materialised, with Farkeball being replaced by a ponderous, disjointed mess that the fans ended up despising. With Carrow Road turning toxic, and fans fighting in the stands live on Sky, something had to happen.
The last time on MFW, after the sacking of Daniel Farke, I wrote a section on the positives of his tenure and would love to be able to do the same for Smith. Except I can’t think of one.
One win in seven at home. He has lost 51.9% of competitive games in charge of Norwich, more than any manager of the club in 50 years. He seemed to have an utter disdain for the fans, failing to even attempt to build a bond with those who travelled across the country to support him and the team.
So now the question once again turns to who will be the next person to take the reins at Carrow Road.
The Webber question
One of the main issues Norwich currently face is the future of the Sporting Director. The sacking of Farke, while hardly coming out of the blue, left a real sour taste in the mouth due to the way it occurred. Sacking an incredibly popular manager had to be followed by an intelligent and successful appointment.
Dean Smith was not this.
The claim that he had a shortlist of replacements appeared ludicrous, as Dean Smith was still in post when Farke was let go. Webber’s comments in interviews, disagreements with the fans outside of Carrow Road, and the complete breakdown in communication with the local media have helped reinforce the image of a man completely disinterested in the club he works for.
If Webber wants to leave the club in the right place, as he has frequently claimed, it is vital that he either gets this appointment correct or steps aside to allow his replacement to appoint their preferred candidate.
So… the contenders.
Kjetil Knutsen – FK Bodø/Glimt
Last time Norwich were looking for a new Head Coach, Kjetil Knutsen was seen as a frontrunner for the role. While I still think his appointment is unlikely, especially due to his public statement that he is “completely uninterested” in things outside Bodø/Glimt when linked to the Brighton job, I do think that it is more likely than at the last opportunity.
The Eliteserien season has ended since the Brighton position was filled, with Bodø/Glimt next playing on 16th February against Lech Poznań in the Europa Conference League. Knutsen’s style of football would suit Norwich, with his aggressive counter-press and desire to dominate the ball.
After a difficult campaign last season, if Knutsen desires a fresh challenge, now would be a perfect time. Due to Webber’s lack of commitment to the club, Bodø/Glimt Sporting Director, Aasmund Bjørkan, could be an exceptional replacement, especially due to his close existing relationship with Knutsen.
Gerardo Seoane – Without club (last managed Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
After leading Bayer Leverkusen to their best campaign in the last seven years, finishing in third in the Bundesliga and qualifying for the Europa Champions League, Seoane was let go in October due to a poor start to the campaign.
However, this is the only blemish on an otherwise stellar CV, with Seoane averaging a minimum of two points per game in both of his previous positions in Switzerland. At Leverkusen he was well regarded for his fast, attractive football, deploying his team in a 4-2-3-1 with overlapping fullbacks.
The language barrier would not be an issue – Seoane is fluent in English, as well as in German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Still young in managerial terms, the 44-year-old would be a fantastic and exciting appointment that could really help us flourish.
Emma Hayes – Chelsea Women
This would be a real statement of intent. While Norwich are not currently in the Premier League, the club has an exceptional track record in the Championship and, with the right coaching, stands at least chance of returning.
This would be an incredible achievement for somebody who has already achieved a great deal in the game, as she could become the first female manager of a Premier League team. Emma’s Chelsea are an incredibly potent attacking team, with an effective pressing and defensive structure that is lethal in transition.
Her team’s vertical quick passing would suit players such as Teemu Pukki, providing him the service he has lacked this season. If Emma Hayes would view Norwich as an interesting new challenge, then the club would be unwise to not consider her a candidate.
Raúl González Blanco (aka Raúl) – RM Castilla
After a glittering career, the fifth-highest goal scorer in Champions League history and runner-up in the 2001 Ballon d’Or retired from football in 2015.
Since 2018, he has been working as a coach for Real Madrid’s youth teams. He is regarded as a strict disciplinarian, who firmly believes that his players show responsibility, humility, and respect. As a manager, he likes to keep a low profile, demonstrated by him refusing to take part in a documentary that would follow his day-to-day movements.
The counter-attacking 4-3-3 that he sets up RM Castilla in would suit the current personnel available and would potentially be the more pragmatic solution Webber is looking for.
As a (supposedly – Ed) community-focused club that prides itself in youth development and engaging with the local community, Raúl could be just the kind of coach Norwich need and might be the exact opportunity he is looking for.
Kent Nielsen – Silkeborg IF
Nielsen is a name that Norwich fans may not be familiar with. Some fans may have seen him play though, as the centre-back played against the Canaries on four separate occasions during his spell at Aston Villa between 1989 and 1992.
Nielsen has only ever managed in Denmark, so a leap to an English club looking to return to the Premier League may be a big ask, but his recent track record at Silkeborg suggests that he would be more than up to the task.
When he took over, Silkeborg were yo-yo-ing between the Superliga and 1. Division, however in 2021-22 he took them to a surprise third-place finish. This saw them qualify for European competition for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign.
Unlike Norwich of late, Silkeborg are effective when in possession, last season recording the second-most average shots per game and ending 27.9% or their attacks with shots, the third-best in the league. His attacking 4-3-3 and focus on maintaining possession with quick sharp passing would perfectly suit the team and help get the fans back onside.
Honourable mentions
Just like last time, I’ve included a section of those who just missed out on my list:
- Domenico Tedesco – Without club (last managed RB Leipzig)
- Arne Slot – Feyenoord
- Ryan Mason – Tottenham (Technical Coach)
- Ange Postecoglou – Celtic
- Pascal Jansen – AZ Alkmaar
- Julien Stéphan – RC Strasbourg Alsace
- Markus Weinzierl – 1.FC Nuremberg
- Per Mertesacker – Arsenal Academy
- Kieran McKenna – Ipswich Town
- Ralph Hasenhüttl – Without club (last managed Southampton)
My thoughts
While I believe that Dean Smith was not the right person for the Head Coach role at City, the problems run far deeper than just him. There is a malaise that has settled over the club, with the fans being completely ostracised by the higher-ups within.
The appointment of the next Head Coach will make or break Webber’s legacy. If he gets it wrong, people will begin to question if he merely got lucky, benefiting from the skills of the team around him and the foundations set by the previous regime. With the right appointment, he will potentially cement his legacy as someone who has paved the way for a new and bright era for the football club.
Only the future will tell us which of these it will be. The roller coaster ride of being a Norwich fan continues rumbling along the tracks.
Who knows what is the other end of the tunnel?
Some interesting names but why pad the article with further repetitive attacks on SW
Attanasio first and then he can pick Seoane.
If Delia and Webber remain we are just kicking the can down the road.
Sone good work here Luke. A few names I hadn’t considered with some interesting back stories.
For me it should’ve been Kjetil Knutsen when Farke left .
Would love us to get him this time around what a Christmas present that would be .
Until the rot is removed from the top the club is not going anywhere! Champagne ideas on a beer budget has been proven it doesnt work time and time again. You have to ask who would want to come and work at a club where you have your hands and feet tied behind your back? Poor recruitment, poor Coaching staff and no budget to work with? I wait with baited breath who is appointed next?
Well said Greg – you’ve saved me making an original post 🙂
I will never understand the mentality of Delia inviting not one but two cuckoos into her cosy little nest and until all four of these individuals are gone no manager/head coach stands a chance.
The more I think about it, the more I realise the scale of Daniel Farke’s achievements.
absolutely Mr P won’t say a lot as somebody doesn’t like me and has the odd pop at me. funny when I say nowt different to most
Enjoy your comments give us your views please
Good read Luke. One name we could consider is Sebastian Hoeness. German coach who was relieved of his duties in September but read his CV and he’s another one of the Farke mould with his coaching background. But what with Brexit rules now impacting coaching positions, may well be a Brit so why not a young and up and coming coach such as Steven Schumacher at Plymouth ? With Bali currently there on loan SW can get a good insight into how he might fit into the Carra rud hot seat ?
OTBC
Steve G will not be on cities list when he took the Villa position he mentioned that he only left Rangers so that he could travel home every night, he will not move his family from Scouse land.
Why not add Wayne Rooney then his wife can have day trips to Leicester 🤣🤣🤣
I don’t want either of them 🤦♂️
Good read well done. All the news feeds mostly BS, are dragging up the usual suspects Dyche, Wilder Russ Martin. the previous two god forbid. as to Russ is not ready for the bear pit of Carra Rud.
My favourite is Knutsen, but believe he was mentioned for the Brighton post and ruled himself out of the running. Hasenhüttl was mentioned last November when he was still at Southampton Gerardo Seoane sounds a reasonable fit. as for making some waves with Emma Hayes, listening to her comments on TV she knows the game perhaps better than some of the other pundits . I would not be against that one.
A good read.
Any manager/coach has to do his home work on Webber before taking the job.
He will have to be a strong character not a yes man and pleased that Webber has given him a job.
The Star says Bruce, Big Sam along with Wilder and Dyche are all possible names on a list I just wonder if that list has a red mark on it as none would tolerate Webber.
The Chelsea coach Anthony Barrow is known to Webber from their Wrexham days so could be an outside bet.
It’s going to be an interesting few days with the Sky Camera zoomed in on Webber to see if any possible clues to the next man is in the stadium, but all those out of work could turn up to muddie the water.
I think there could be a worrying irony coming … remember when Daniel Farke was sacked – and Deano was still employed for a further 7 days by Aston Villa …. Now Deano has been sacked and our alleged No.1 Target back then was Frank Lampard who has a very real possibility of being sacked within 7 days by Everton … Not sure I can stand the suspense 🙂
Some interesting names Luke Thanks. My blood is running a little cold at present – the Birmingham papers are saying Steve Bruce……Gulp!
Think it goes like this:
Bruce’s agent. talls the club. My client is free and available.
Club says we are aware and we will contact people who we feel will best serve the club.
Agent says thank you. Then leaks the news the club and him have talked . This to the media and then Bruce goes up in the betting
So, just how long is Webber’s list of replacement coaches (given all the bull…. we’ve had thrust down our throats over the past 5 years or so about forward planning etc etc)?
When Webber sacked Farke, we found his cupboard was bare, so he snatched at D Smith Esq who’d just ‘become available’ and breathed a sigh of relief when Smith accepted. The rest is history.
Now he’s sacked Smith, his list appears to comprise just one other name – someone he worked with at Huddersfield before he moved to Norwich. Wow!!
I’m ambivalent about Wagner …. he may turn out to be OK ….. but the low esteem in which I have held Webber for some time now just got lower. – which I didn’t think was possible.
But with 2 cuckoos (Mr and Mrs Webber) in the NCFC Boardroom (aka Retirement Home) nest, we aren’t going to see the REAL changes the club needs any time soon.
Happy New Year everyone – but don’t hold your breath.
As usual the tired, old, failed, British managers are put forward. They will cost us a fortune for what? Let’s look at the foreign coaches or Emma if we can.
I’d rather Norwich went down fighting and playing football than the stuff some of these managers continually churn out. And for those who think the answer is money and spending above your means – take a look at the large stadiums in Div 1 and 2 where you get a few thousand fans each week. It’s time Norwich fans get real – only a few cash-soaked clubs will be constant in the Premier League – money has made it that way.
Also how many games will the fickle Norwich fans give a new manager…? 2 or 3 lost games and they will be crying for them to go. Ambition is one thing, fantasy another.