Time to take a look at the top six favourites to become new Norwich City manager as the club announces the sacking of Dean Smith.
The 51 year old former Aston Villa boss has been axed, especially after weeks of fan unrest and dismal results of late.
It comes after Monday night’s 2-1 defeat at Luton – however the Canaries remain fifth in the Championship.
Smith was at the helm at Carrow Road for 13 months but majority shareholder Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn-Jones have seemingly made their decision.
Reports claim that former Norwich defender turned Swansea manager Russell Martin is among the frontrunners but it will be a tough ask to tempt him in.
Norwich have won just three games in 13 matches and the attendances are dropping.
Norwich City have today parted company with head coach Dean Smith.
Craig Shakespeare and Liam Bramley have also left the club.
We would like to thank them for their time here and wish all three well for the future.#NCFC
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) December 27, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Norwich City have today parted company with head coach Dean Smith.
As the club continues to work towards its on-field objectives this season, the board believe that it is the right time to make this transition.
Assistant head coach Craig Shakespeare and first team coach Liam Bramley have also left the club.
The club’s remaining coaching staff, led by Steve Weaver and Allan Russell, will take charge of first team training and our upcoming fixtures on an interim basis.
The club will now work to identify and appoint a new head coach that is able to deliver both the level of performances required to challenge at the top end of the league whilst implementing a consistent style of play.
Sporting director Stuart Webber said: “This was a tough decision, but one that we felt was necessary to give ourselves the best possible chance of achieving our objective of promotion to the Premier League this season.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Dean, Craig and Liam, who have always put the best interests of the football club first.
“With just under half of the season remaining and three consecutive home games on the horizon we now have a real opportunity to build some forward and positive momentum, both on and off the pitch.”
TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW NORWICH MANAGER
BetVictor (2pm, 27th Dec)
Sean Dyche – 4/1
Chris Wilder – 5/1
Steven Gerrard – 8/1
Pellegrino Matarazzo – 10/1
Scott Parker – 12/1
Sky Bet (3:30pm, 27th Dec)
Scott Parker – 4/1
Chris Wilder – 5/1
Sean Dyche – 5/1
Mark Robins -6/1
Russell Martin – 8/1
Anthony Barry – 12/1
Kjetil Knutsen – 12/1
Ryan Lowe – 14/1
Garry Monk – 20/1
Steven Gerrard – 20/1
Sky Bet (1:30pm, 28th Dec)
Scott Parker – 5/2
Russell Martin – 7/2
Sean Dyche – 4/1
Mark Robins – 6/1
Ralph Hassenhuttl – 7/1
David Wagner – 10/1
Kjetil Knutsen – 10/1
Sky Bet (10:30am, 29th Dec)
David Wagner – 4/5
Scott Parker – 4/1
Mark Robins – 6/1
Russell Martin – 8/1
Sean Dyche- 9/1
Steve Bruce – 16/1
Dean Smith spoke to Canaries TV after his side lost 2-1 to Luton….
“It was a scrappy game,” Smith said. “One that we probably expected. Lots of turnovers, and weren’t good enough in the first half with the ball.
“They’ve had some chances with headers, as they’ve put the ball in the box very early. They go back to front very quickly, we’ve put in an extra defender today. To go into half-time at 0-0, I expected better in the second half.
“But goals win you games like they did tonight.
“We wanted to get Teemu and Josh up front together. We knew if we played a flat back four, they’d target Max Aarons. But they did that anyway.
“I think they won the physical battle in the first half, hence the change at half-time. I thought we were better in the second half. You’ve got to create chances and show the quality in the final third, and we’ve not to give sloppy goals away.
“I felt like it broke down too often, and I felt Adam could make it stick a bit better, and felt Josh could do well in behind them. I thought it worked, I thought we were better in the second half. But we lose it with two stupid goals.
“We got back into the game, and had a golden chance with Luton having a man sent off. We had a lot of the ball, but not enough quality in the final third.
“We’ve got to react, that’s all we can do. We can’t change what’s happened, we’ve got to put it right.”
This is what fans said as the top six favourites to become new Norwich manager gets revealed…
@MummyCarlaMarie: Shame it didn’t work out for him but was never the right fit for us. Would have been toxic at CR on Friday if he had still been there, never a pleasant atmosphere. I wish him well but not the one for us #ncfc
@DJJLP_: What’s been horrible and sad is what we have had to endure under him. Poor connection towards club and fans. Time to draw a line under what has been a completely forgettable time for the club and fans,
@ncfc_cam: I just don’t know how I’d feel about Dyche. Pot, kettle? Don’t know, feel like he’s more effective and would get a tune out of #NCFC, and probably success. But the football would be bleak. He wouldn’t come here anyway 🤣
@GavinMorris7: Please spare a thought for Webber’s ego it must be in a terrible state #ncfc
@Jparker7398: If we’re looking for the up and coming manager route, there’s a guy down the road doing good things! 🤣#ncfc
@steve70641607: #NCFC to late as normal should of been sacked before World Cup break and Webber should follow him out of the door for appointing smith in the 1st place. otbc
@digsb: It’s done now, and looking back doesn’t change anything, but I would like to know the reasoning behind not sacking Smith before the WC break. Obviously The Powers That Be were convinced he’d be able to turn things around – but what had they seen to convince them of that? #ncfc
@Peanutt96: If only we’d have had 4 weeks where a new coach could have just worked with the players???
@MatterzHD: No more stress
@VillaWatch1: Sometimes I think Norwich fans expect too much
@oliverbudbensly: Now time for the board to change and Delia to go
@JosephRounding: Webber next.
@dmanning6: Norwich fans are used to being a yoyo club and going through fazes. All we want is a manager that reignites the fan base & gets the best out of the players and to see them leaving everything out on the pitch again. We don’t want miracles, we just want to see passion for our club
@djdidley: Thanks @NorwichCityFC This has been my best Christmas present this year by far. Maybe a few days late (or 13 months) but great news, Merry Christmas and a happy new year. P.s application form and Cv will be in the post in the morning
@Belgian_Waffler: Always sad to see someone lose their job but he was the wrong choice for the club and that was apparent pretty quickly. Some soul searching needed by the club.
@aidylincoln70: Right decision but wrong timing, should have happened at the start of the World Cup break. Though shouldn’t be surprised as our club always waits too long before making these types of decisions.
@leeroypatel: Time to get right behind the players and do everything we can to turn this season around.
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