Norwich to settle between Lampard and Knutsen
Norwich City’s search for a new manager is reportedly down to the final two candidates with the Canaries hopeful of having somebody in place within a week.
Daniel Farke was axed by Norwich on Saturday night, just hours after his side picked up their first Premier League win of the season at Brentford.
Norwich felt they could not wait if they want to stand a chance of staying up, with the club already five points off Premier League safety.
The Athletic claim Norwich’s search for a new coach has already been whittled down to just two candidates.
It’s claimed both options are ‘modern, forward-thinking coaches’ but the club are keen to keep their identities a secret.
However, the bookies’ odds suggest Frank Lampard and Kjetil Knutsen of Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt are the favourites to land the job.
Norwich are keen to have a manager in place within a week so they have time to prepare for their first game after the international break – against Southampton at home on November 20.
Farke’s dismissal came as a surprise, given he talked about it being a great day for him and Norwich on Saturday, only to be summoned to a meeting immediately after his media duties to discover he had been sacked.
He left Carrow Road after four years in the role, which saw the German achieve two Premier League promotions with the Canaries but mustered just six top-flight wins in that time.
Farke had been critical of the club’s activity in the transfer window, over which he had limited influence, and he was not happy that they sold their best player, Emiliano Buendia, to Aston Villa for £33million in the summer. As a self-funded club, Norwich felt they could not turn that offer down.
Head of development Steve Weaver is expected to take charge of the first team until a replacement is confirmed.
Paying tribute to Farke in a statement on Saturday night, Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber said: ‘In continuing to demand the very best for our club, this decision was not an easy one.
‘I know how determined Daniel and his staff were to succeed at this level but we feel now is the right time for a change to give ourselves the best opportunity of retaining our Premier League status.
‘All at Norwich City should be forever grateful to Daniel and his staff for the significant role they have played in our journey.
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‘They helped deliver two Championship titles, many memorable moments and they all fully bought into our philosophy and what it means to be part of this football club.
‘Daniel and his staff will always be welcome back here. I’d like to thank them all for their hard work and wish them well for the future.