Norwich City: Frank Lampard, Dean Smith in two horse race

 

Frank Lampard and Dean Smith are in a two-horse race to be appointed Norwich City’s head coach, but both candidates are yet to confirm their readiness to take the job.

Former England international Lampard, 43, and Smith, sacked as Aston Villa head coach on Sunday, have both held talks remotely with the Norwich hierarchy this week.

Further talks are planned later  with Lampard, who is currently in Dubai, and his representatives over a first return to management since he was sacked by Chelsea in January.

Smith, 50, who is visiting his son in New York, is understood to have impressed in his interview, boasting an in-depth knowledge of the squad, playing style and culture of the club.

He is seen as a good fit for the club with a similar ethos, and vast experience in the Premier League and Championship with Aston Villa and Brentford.

Lampard is seen to offer a very different set of skills and is viewed as a young and inspirational manager, whose name and standing in the game would help attract top players.

Norwich sacked Daniel Farke hours after he recorded the club’s first Premier League victory of the season at Brentford on Saturday.

The Canaries are bottom of the Premier League with five points from 11 games and their next game is at home against Southampton on November 20.

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The Norwich board and sporting director Stuart Webber have been impressed by both candidates so far.

Norwich were also previously keen to speak to Bodo Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen.

Knutsen, who is also attracting interest from Molde, has turned Bodo Glimt from relegation candidates to first-time Norwegian champions. They beat Roma 6-1 last month in the UEFA Conference League.

Former Norwich striker Grant Holt says he would be happy to see either Frank Lampard or Dean Smith appointed as the club’s new head coach.