Sporting director Stuart Webber calls out personal abuse aimed at him from fans as he leaves Norwich City following a six-year spell.
The 39-year old was brought into the club from Huddersfield Town in April 2017, where he served as director of football.
Norwich won promotion to the Premier League twice under Webber, but they were relegated after 12 months on both occasions.
He informed the board in March of his decision and is currently working to find a new replacement.
Neil Adams, Norwich’s former technical director and assistant sporting director, has been named as part of this process.
Webber’s announcement comes less than one month after he stated that he wouldn’t be forced to leave by critics because they had finished 13th at the Championship.
Norwich City can confirm that sporting director Stuart Webber is to leave the club.
Webber informed the club’s joint majority shareholders, Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones, of his decision at the turn of the year.
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) June 13, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Norwich City can confirm that sporting director Stuart Webber is to leave the club.
Webber informed the club’s joint majority shareholders, Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones, of his decision at the turn of the year.
An external recruitment process, led by the club’s board of directors, to appoint a replacement is already underway.
During the upcoming period, Webber will remain in post and continue to work his notice period to ensure a thorough transition and handover.
As part of this process Neil Adams will move into the newly-created position of technical director, continuing his work alongside key football departments at the Lotus Training Centre.
Webber said: “I’d like to thank Delia, Michael and the rest of the board for their understanding in making this decision.
“The support I’ve had from all the board, past and present, throughout my time at the club has been outstanding. Delia and Michael are two of the most special people that I’ve met. They care so much about Norwich City, its staff and supporters.
“I’ve worked with some incredible staff, from my direct reports to the Executive Committee and wider staff across both the football club and Community Sports Foundation. I’ve seen so many staff grow and develop, and I can’t thank them enough for their dedication.
“Nobody will ever be able to take away our two title wins, the growth of the Lotus Training Centre and academy, and the connection our football areas now have with the wider business. Together, we have enjoyed some really special moments and we should be incredibly proud of the foundation we have managed to build to ensure future success at this club.
“To the players I’ve worked with, I’ve learned so much and they have done some incredible things over the past six years. They will go down in history at this football club.
“I look forward to the next chapter and helping as much or as little in this transition over the coming months. The board know they have my unwavering support.
“Thank you to every board and staff member, player and supporter that I’ve met. I wish the club the very best and I look forward to supporting from afar.”
Webber joined Norwich City from Huddersfield Town in April 2017. He has since helped guide the club to two Sky Bet Championship league titles.
After appointing the club’s first non-domestic head coach, Daniel Farke, in the summer of 2017, Norwich upset the odds in winning the Championship title in the 2018/19 campaign.
After a season in the top flight, Norwich bounced back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, navigating the challenging COVID-19 period and claiming their second Championship league title in the 2020/21 season.
During Webber’s time with the club the acquisitions of the likes of Tim Krul, Teemu Pukki, Gabriel Sara and Emi Buendia, who would eventually depart for a club record fee, combined with 19 first-team debuts for academy graduates, would play a key role in City’s success and stability.
Off the pitch, Webber has also been instrumental in building infrastructures and facilities across the club, particularly at the Lotus Training Centre and academy.
Any further updates on the process of appointing a replacement will follow in due course.
Read a statement from joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones here.
Breaking news from @NorwichCityFC – sporting director Stuart Webber to step down after 6 years. Two promotions, two relegations & a magnificent £20m training HQ. Webber on why the time is right, his legacy, fan abuse & Norwich’s future. Interview #ncfchttps://t.co/ekkjIziF8m
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) June 13, 2023
Sporting director Stuart Webber calls out personal abuse from fans as he leaves Norwich.
“When we turned up it was a League One club in terms of infrastructure, with 49 Portacabins and hills in the pitches,” he told Telegraph Sport.
“Along the way we’ve won two Championship titles and this club has only won seven trophies in the top two divisions in its history.
“The academy was ranked 82nd out of the 92 when I arrived, we’re now 17th. The role of sporting director is to look after the short-, medium- and long-term view, but it’s also about constantly trying to break new ground.
“When the swimming pool opens in three months’ time, we’ll have a training ground which is in the top 10 in the country, and that will almost feel like my work is done.
“I just feel it’s time to do something new. I’ve had lots of opportunities to leave in the past but they have never felt quite right for me and the club,” he says.
“I wanted to give the owners enough time to get the right person so it’s not a rushed decision. I’m excited about what the future holds and looking forward to my next challenge, wherever that might be.
“Last season was difficult and I felt some of the personal abuse I received from the fans wasn’t fair,” says Webber.
“The criticism definitely was fair, but there’s a difference between criticism and abuse. I’d much rather it be coming in my direction and hopefully this news will get those people who maybe aren’t supportive of me fully behind the team as we go into the next season.
“If my leaving creates a positive environment for our players to perform in, that’s a good thing. I’ve had far more positive interactions than negative and I’d like to thank them for some great memories.
Webber says: “The last two seasons have proven difficult, and our performances on the pitch haven’t been what we wanted.
“We need to make sure we address that this summer. It’s also clear that we must get back to having a clear way of playing, and back ourselves at all costs with that.
“One of our strengths previously was that win, lose or draw, we always had an identity and hopefully by adding these new signings, and with David having a full pre-season, we can build on some of the great work that’s already been done.”
Here’s how fans reacted as sporting director Stuart Webber calls out personal abuse from fans as he leaves Norwich…
@JohnGordonSaker: If he resigned in March why not announce it at the time to save all the toxicity and why the interview that caused even more bad feeling? Very poor communication.
@steakokidney: Well I don’t think there’s many fans that will be sorry to see him go, just the usual characters. Overall, he thought he could do a job here. Unfortunately it was near impossible, did well to get us up then utterly failed to build on it. I will thank him for the good times.
@Henners86: Have a feeling that all the “Webber Outers” are going to see the grass isn’t always greener. Hope I’m wrong. Next appointment is key.
@TotallyTettey: Holy shit he’s actually gone 😯😯 Let’s hope it’s not a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’ #ncfc
@NCFCJake: Replacement has to be spot on. Can’t go into a season with Neil adams in charge.
@WGraver23: Finally some optimism. Hopeful that we can get in a SD who can change the club culture and improve recruitment going forward. No need to take the convenient internal option #ncfc
@BenHuntley2000: So he brought his man in and started what you’d called a new chapter then leave at the start of the summer! Came out in Interviews saying there’s was unfinished business. Timing absolutely reeks! #NCFC
@FishNCFC: Webbers made mistakes, but will be hard to replace, replacement is very important.
@CornishCanary: You know when we all thought Stuart Webber could’t be arsed…..turns out he literally didn’t want to be there 🤣 Makes last season make more sense and the lack of action by #ncfc as a club to not act very questionable. The damage he did during that time could be long lasting.
@AdamBrandon84: March or turn of the year? They are 2 very different things especially in football. We appointed a new head coach solely down to Webber’s choosing at the turn of the year…
@daniel_tortoise: Good riddance and long, long overdue.
@Liam2050: Talks about a massive rebuild to leave half way through it 😂
@TheGarethGamble: Why not announce this earlier e.g end of season? Why go through the utter charade and nonsense of his interview? Why allow him to still have input into the squad and team?
@Tants7: Get in!! But please, not neil adams!
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