What’s Happening to Norwich City Football Club?

What’s Happening to Norwich City Football Club?

Image from PA Media and bbc.com

In the 2021–2022 Premier League season, Norwich City were relegated, finishing last in the table with just 22 points while conceding 84 goals.

Since the start of the 2022–2023 season, the so called “yo-yo club” have remained in the EFL Championship, England‘s second-highest division. The Canaries are typically a threat to any opponent in the Championship, but in recent years, that has changed.

In October of 2023, Ben Knapper was appointed as the new Sporting Director of Norwich City, attempting to fill the shoes of Stuart Webber, who held the role from 2017–2023.

Wagner’s Season

David Wagner was Norwich City’s manager at the time of Knappers hiring. Wagner managed to get the Canaries into promotion contention, fishing 6th on 73 points. Norwich would fail to beat Leeds United in the first round of playoffs and Wagner would go on to be sacked.

Thorup’s season

The 2024–2025 season would be highlighted by the hiring of manager Johannes Hoff Thorup. Knapper and the Canaries took a chance on a manager that was coaching at Nordsjælland, a team in the Danish Superliga.

Thorup would lead the Canaries to a 13th place finish in the table with 57 points. Norwich scored 71 goals on the season, the second most in the league, but conceded 68. Thorup’s side also saw many injuries to key players like Josh Sargent and the suspension of Borja Sainz seemed to change the momentum in the season.

Norwich City went on to sack Thorup after the season, the sacking took some fans by surprise.

Manning’s Season

Liam Manning would be named the new head coach for the 2025–2026 season and the supporters and club had expectations of top 6.

Manning’s tenure started hopeful with striker, Josh Sargent playing an important role up top early on. Outside of Sargent, Norwich have not been able to create and be a threat in front of goal. The reliance on Josh Sargent is evident and opponents are focused on keeping the ball off his feet.

It’s now nearing November and Norwich City currently sit in 23rd place in the table with just 8 points on 2 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses. The Canaries have yet to capture a point at Carrow Road in front of their fans and haven’t secured three points since August 30th, a 2–0 win at Ewood Park vs Blackburn. Sargent scored both goals for Norwich in that game. Norwich City now sit on an eight matches without a win including five consecutive losses.

Injuries to many key players have limited Manning’s side, but that leaves a question about the squad depth.

Major Injuries in 2025

• Amankwah Forson (Hamstring injury)
• Pape Amadou Diallo (Quad injury)
• Ante Crnac (ACL injury)
• José Córdoba (Hamstring injury)

Dark skies linger over Norwich City right now and majority of the club’s supporters want both Ben Knapper and Liam Manning to leave their roles at the club. At this point, a battle to stay up and avoid relegation is becoming more expected.

Norwich City’s owner, Mark Attanasio, an American and also the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers will be taking a trip to Norfolk this week. There will be lots to discuss and the Knapper and Manning’s role at the club will certainly be brought up.

Norwich City is in desperate need for change and it must come before the situation worsens.