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Norwich City

Latest updates

  1. Tune in to Manning's first press conference on Mondaypublished at 15:24 5 June

    Liam Manning in the Norwich City press room while Bristol City bossImage source, Getty Images

    You will be able to watch and listen to Liam Manning's first press conference as Norwich City head coach live on the BBC website on Monday.

    Manning, the first Norwich native to take on the role, will be speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk for the first time.

    It will also be streamed on BBC Norfolk's news page.

    Click here to tune in at 10:00 BST on Monday.

  2. The Championship's improvement table for 2024-25published at 13:46 5 June

    Ben Ashton
    BBC Sport England

    Graphic showing the Championship's top six most improved teams in  of points tallies, which are Sunderland +20, Blackburn +13, Leeds +10, Millwall +7 Bristol City +6 and Coventry +5Image source, Getty Images

    The 2024-25 Championship season might be over but there are many ways to analyse and reflect on the campaign that has gone before us.

    Not every club can go up but if there are signs a team is moving in the right direction, it can still be considered good progress - or quite the opposite if things are on the slide.

    Here is a look at how each of the 18 sides who were in the Championship for the past two seasons got on points wise compared to the 2023-24 campaign.

    It perhaps comes as no surprise that Sunderland, who won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, recorded the most significant improvement after finishing 16th in 2023-24 and picked up 20 more points.

    Despite a tumultuous season off the field, Blackburn were the second most improved side in the division, gaining 13 points on the previous campaign as they missed out on the play-offs by just two points.

    Leeds racked up 90 points in 2023-24 but somehow still managed a 10-point improvement as they hit the 100 mark on their way to winning the title in their best-ever season in the second tier.

    Millwall's seven-point improvement was enough to help them finish five places higher in eighth, but they fell short of the top six by two points.

    Meanwhile, Bristol City were only six points better off but managed to climb five places and claim a play-off spot, recording their best Championship finishing position since 2007-08.

    Coventry also only improved by five points but were able to jump from ninth to fifth, perhaps showing just how fine the margins can be in the Championship when it comes to securing a play-off berth.

    At the bottom...

    Graphic showing the Championship's six least improved teams in  of points tallies, which are Hull -21, Cardiff -18, Norwich -16, Preston -13, West Brom -11 and Plymouth -5
Image source, Getty Images

    You might want to look away now, Hull City fans.

    The Tigers went backwards more than any other side compared to the previous season under Liam Rosenior, dropping from seventh place and three points outside the play-offs to only escaping relegation on goal difference on the final day.

    Cardiff went from mid-table in 2023-24 to rock bottom and will drop down to League One for the first time in 22 years. It is pretty clear to see why as the Bluebirds picked up 18 fewer points compared to the previous season.

    Norwich tumbled to 13th place after finishing in the play-offs a year before - an underperformance which ultimately cost Johannes Hoff Thorup his job as head coach.

    Preston were 10 points off the play-off places in 2023-24 but picked up 13 fewer points under Paul Heckingbottom in what was their worst season since they were relegated from the Championship in 2010-11.

    The Lilywhites' downturn was largely due to a major dip in form in the latter stages of the campaign, picking up only one win from their final 15 games (D7 L7) to avoid the drop by just one point.

    West Bromwich Albion endured a disappointing season - for a club which always harbours ambitions of plying its trade in the top flight - with an 11-point drop off.

    Albion's final points tally of 64 was their worst in the Championship since 1999-2000.

    Plymouth may have only been five points worse off than they were in 2023-24 but having survived on the final day that season, there were to be no such heroics this time around and their two-year stint in the second tier is over.

    And the rest...

    Graphic showing the Championship's six middle teams in  of points tallies, which are Sheffield Wednesday +5, Swansea +4, Watford +1, QPR 0, Middlesbrough -5, Stoke City -5Image source, Getty Images

    *All data based only on teams who were in the Championship in 2023-24 and 2024-25

  3. 'Manning's shown he can deliver'published at 14:35 4 June

    Your Views banner
    Liam Manning managing Bristol CityImage source, Getty Images

    We asked you what you thought of Norwich City appointing Bristol City boss Liam Manning to take up their vacant head coach role.

    Some of you think he's the right man for the job based on his success with the Robins last season, while others worry about what his appointment says about the transfer window.

    Here's what you had to say:

    Lee: It's a bit underwhelming. Manning has done a decent, though not exceptional job with his other clubs but he doesn't stay at one place very long. He also has links with Ipswich, despite being born in Norwich, and that's never going to go down well here. We have to give him a chance, but this doesn't feel like it's part of a long term plan to me.

    Kevin: I think this is a brilliant appointment by Norwich. Unlike JHT, he has a track record in the UK. He gets more out of teams than the sum of their parts. It's all very well choosing a manager who has potential, but so much better to appoint someone who has shown that they can deliver.

    Simon: He did well at Bristol with inferior players but instilled a great team work ethic, which Norwich lacked. Lets hope he can sort out the defence that's been a problem area for many seasons.

    Paul: Whoever was appointed was always facing a tough task facing a new season without Sargent and Sainz… he will need to hit the ground running to get the fans fully engaged. Huge transfer window. Good luck to him. OTBC.

    Paul: Concerns me that they're impressed with his ability to do well with little resource, I think this will prompt a miserly venture into the transfer market yet again.

    Matthew: I'll be interested to see how this plays out for Ben Knapper. Thorup was almost naively loyal in following the club line in all his media, only to be betrayed and made the scapegoat with two games left. Had he known the loyalty didn't go both ways, I wonder if he would have talked more of mitigations and criticised Knapper and the complacent, entitled squad of players he took on. I don't think Manning will make the same mistake so we may see manager and club collide at some point. I'm hopeful Manning is the kind of character who shakes people up and makes them realise having a fancy training ground and a 'talented' squad means nothing without consistent hard work.

    Tony: Manning has a track record which he can build on at Norwich City, his priority must be sorting out our defence and being able to manage games at the end.

    Rob: Lots of work to do, feels like the squad needs almost a complete rebuild from keeper to striker. Bristol did very well on a smaller budget so I'm optimistic but time will tell.

    Listen to more thoughts on Manning's appointment in a special episode of Canary Calls on BBC Sounds.

    Media caption,

    Canary Call special - Liam Manning

  4. Have your say on Manning becoming Norwich bosspublished at 19:04 3 June

    Have your say banner

    So, the rumours were correct - Norwich-born Liam Manning has been revealed as the Canaries' choice to succeed Johannes Hoff Thorup at Carrow Road.

    What do you make of the appointment, Norwich fans?

    Happy to see a hometown boy have the chance to lead you back to the Premier League?

    Or were you hoping for a different face in the dugout?

    Let us know your thoughts here.

  5. Norwich native - but not why he's been appointedpublished at 18:15 3 June

    Chris Goreham
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Norwich Expert View banner

    Norwich City's extensive search for a new head coach has led to the club's first ever Norwich-born boss.

    Liam Manning's formative years as a Carrow Road season ticket holder are a nice extra but it's not why he's been appointed.

    Canaries sporting director Ben Knapper has expressed frustration they fell so far short of the play-offs last season.

    "When I look at the teams that did make it, it confirms that kind of belief," he said.

    Envious eyes were being cast in the direction of Ashton Gate where Manning's well-coached team was outperforming the sum of its parts.

    It felt like Manning was on to a good thing at Bristol City - so the fact Knapper has managed to sell him the project of rebuilding a squad that finished 13th should offer any concerned Canaries fans some much-needed encouragement.

  6. 'It's a big appeal to come back to Norfolk'published at 15:14 27 May

    A photo of Bristol City boss Liam ManningImage source, Rex Features

    Former Norwich City defender Che Wilson believes the chance to return to the area will be a big attraction for Bristol City boss Liam Manning.

    Manning has been lined up for the manager's job at Norwich despite the club ending last season seven places below the Robins, who reached the play-offs.

    The 39-year-old is from Norwich and was part of the Canaries academy during his early playing career. His backroom staff equally have links to East Anglia.

    "From a footballing point of view, I'm not sure if it was just purely on that that he'd come back, judging from the fact that Bristol City have snuck in the play-offs," Wilson told BBC Radio Norfolk.

    "They look to be on the up and Norwich have a somewhat indifferent season, so that's probably a little bit surprising.

    "But because of the geographical implications with his family, there's a bigger picture to be looked at. It's obviously a big appeal to come back to Norfolk."

    Wilson added: "I think he's going to flourish there and do really well.

    "He's in a part of the world he's familiar with, he knows the football club, his family are settled.

    "I think it's a win-win for both parties."

    Media caption,

    "Manning is going to flourish at Norwich"

  7. Rowe move will become permanentpublished at 15:21 14 May

    Jonathan Rowe playing for MarseilleImage source, Rex Features

    Norwich City have confirmed that forward Jonathan Rowe's move to Marseille will become permanent this summer.

    The 22-year-old moved to Ligue 1 on an initial loan and the Canaries say he will remain in under an "obligation to buy in the agreement between the two clubs".

    Rowe has scored three goals in 27 league appearances for Marseille but only five of them have been starts.

    He told the club website, external last week: "The season has been a bit disappointing because I haven't played as much as I would have liked. I love playing here and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

    "Last season I was a regular starter at Norwich and I took a step forward. OM is a very big club. There have been good times here, even if there have been some difficult ones. I've learned a lot.

    "I'm happy to fight for my place. I try to be decisive on the pitch. I'm convinced I can bring more to the team. I'm convinced you haven't seen the best of me yet."

    On the Canaries, he said: "Norwich is the club I grew up with, from the academy to the first team. I follow the club's results and I'm still in touch with some of the players."

    At the time of his move last August, BBC Sport understood the deal was worth £17m in total, with Norwich also including a sell-on clause.

  8. Your views on Wilshere being overlooked for top jobpublished at 16:27 9 May

    Your views banner

    Earlier we asked Canaries fans what they thought of the club's decision to overlook interim boss Jack Wilshere for the permanent role at Carrow Road.

    Here are a selection of your views.

    Matthew: So, first the club's leadership apparently decide that they don't want to keep our first-choice goalkeeper on, and now they decide to ignore the players' thoughts on who they want as manager? One can only hope they have two utterly spectacular replacements lined up here.

    Fred: Definitely looked like an improvement on Hoff Thorup over the two games he was in charge of the team, probably would've been worth giving him a chance at the job. Considering Carrick had only managed a few senior games when he got the Boro job it would've been good to see how Wilshere approached it.

    David: Jack could be a good manager, but when you've just failed with someone who has no experience in Hoff Thorup, appointing someone else who's so green is far too risky. Have to imagine that the hire will be someone who has experience in the English game.

    Wendy: I was impressed with Jack Wilshere when he was in charge for the last two games of the season. He was enthusiastic and dynamic and seemed to have the backing of the players. It was refreshing to see players in their more natural positions and that appeared to be reflected in the way they played more quickly and more definitely. I liked Sainz staying upfield when Norwich were defending set-pieces. And the way that Wilshere crouched down [to see the play at pitch level]. Small differences, but that's what wins games. He seemed to read the play very well and substitutions were timely made. A more positive, aggressive approach which was refreshing. I would be very happy to see him as Norwich manager for the coming season.

    Steve: Just... Why not? Had the players backing him, has experience at the club. Makes no sense to rule him out over some has-been manager who has failed before in the Premier League.

    Luke: I'm glad that Jack Wilshire isn't going to be our next manager as I do not think he's the right man for the job. We need to get a proven Premier League manager in if we're ever going to get out of the Championship.

    Philip: The Norwich coach position doesn't seem to have much autonomy. Who'll want to come? Norwich always underachieve because of finance and squad (lack of) strength. Keep Jack!

    Rob: He lacks the experience so this is the right call at the moment. I'd still like Jack to stay with us as first-team coach but pair up with a more experienced manager such as Russell Martin for a Jack Russell combo.

    Kevin: Nothing surprises me about Norwich nowadays. Webber messed things up sacking Farke, and now Knapper has let one of the best goalkeepers in the league go. Wilshire is young but seems a good fit so maybe should be given a chance. Personally I would get rid of Knapper and leave the manager to run the team and select new players with no interference from pen pushers.

    Buster: We should give Jack the opportunity to be permanent manager, I don't think there is anyone out there who could any better, he is young, wants to learn his trade with us, all the players and ers are behind him so let's give him the job. I am sure that Jack would be able to get a young talent from Arsenal. Norwich could pay millions for a Big Name and not get any joy, so let's hope they give it to Jack.

  9. Wilshere won't be next boss - send us your thoughtspublished at 11:37 9 May

    Have your say banner

    What do you make of the news that interim Canaries boss Jack Wilshere is not being considered as a candidate for the permanent position at Carrow Road?

    The players had seemingly given their backing to the 33-year-old former Arsenal and England midfielder last week - but the club's hierarchy have opted to pursue external candidates.

    Let us know whether you thought Wilshere was the right man for the job here.

    We'll publish some of your views later today.

  10. 🎧 What should be on Norwich's shopping list?published at 11:56 7 May

    Media caption,

    The Scrimmage: A Norwich City podcast

    Norwich City are facing a potential summer re-build after goalkeeper Angus Gunn, midfielder Jacob Sorensen and forward Onel Hernandez were released.

    The Canaries are also on the search for a new permanent boss after Johannes Hoff Thorup was sacked and first team coach Jack Wilshere was placed in temporary charge.

    BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler and Chris Reeve have been reflecting on the 2024-25 season and discussing what should be on sporting director Ben Knapper's shopping list.

    "It's surely getting to quite a large shopping list now">