17-05-2024, 16:51
Norwich City have sacked boss David Wagner less than 24 hours after their crushing Championship play-off defeat by Leeds.
The Canaries have acted following Thursday's 4-0 semi-final second-leg loss which condemned them to a third successive season in the second tier.
Arsenal coach Carlos Cuesta is of interest as a replacement having worked with sporting director Ben Knapper when he was loans manager at the Gunners.
"David has operated with class and dignity throughout his period as Norwich City head coach, but we now feel that the time is right for us to move in a different direction," said Knapper.
“We remain committed to progressing our football club, in both the short and long-term, working through a diligent and thorough strategy.
“The appointment of a new head coach is an important one. We will now work and continue our due diligence with the view of making an appointment in the near future.”
Wagner's assistant Christoph Buhler has also left Carrow Road.
The German was on borrowed time after Knapper replaced Stuart Webber in November and they dropped to 17th in November after a 3-1 home defeat by Blackburn at the end of a run of seven defeats in nine games, and only one win.
But a fine second half to the season saw them win eight straight home games to finish sixth and earn a play-off spot.
They drew 0-0 with Leeds at Carrow Road in the first leg on Sunday but a dire performance saw the Whites cruise to the play-off final, where they will play Southampton or West Brom.
Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk after the loss at Elland Road: "This is super disappointing, we were very poor and it really hurts."
Wagner, who led Huddersfield to promotion to the Premier League in 2017, was appointed in January 2023, replacing Dean Smith, and eventually finished 13th in the Championship last season.
He failed to reference Knapper during a post-game press conference following the final day 1-0 defeat at Birmingham, despite praising his predecessor Webber for his support.
Norwich face a potentially difficult summer with United States international Josh Sargent, their top scorer with 16 goals, and fellow forward Jonathan Rowe - whose season was disrupted by injury following a flying start - likely to attract attention in the transfer market.
Defender Dimitris Giannoulis, Ben Gibson and Sam McCallum are among those out of contract and they will also need to consider potential replacements for striker Ashley Barnes, who will be 35 in October.
Talks are also likely about the future of Adam Idah, who was allowed to join Celtic on loan and contributed eight goals in their title-winning Scottish Premiership campaign.
It is a time of change at Carrow Road as Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones are no longer majority shareholders, with Norfolk FB Holdings, led by American businessman Mark Attanasio, now matching their 40% stake.
The Canaries have acted following Thursday's 4-0 semi-final second-leg loss which condemned them to a third successive season in the second tier.
Arsenal coach Carlos Cuesta is of interest as a replacement having worked with sporting director Ben Knapper when he was loans manager at the Gunners.
"David has operated with class and dignity throughout his period as Norwich City head coach, but we now feel that the time is right for us to move in a different direction," said Knapper.
“We remain committed to progressing our football club, in both the short and long-term, working through a diligent and thorough strategy.
“The appointment of a new head coach is an important one. We will now work and continue our due diligence with the view of making an appointment in the near future.”
Wagner's assistant Christoph Buhler has also left Carrow Road.
The German was on borrowed time after Knapper replaced Stuart Webber in November and they dropped to 17th in November after a 3-1 home defeat by Blackburn at the end of a run of seven defeats in nine games, and only one win.
But a fine second half to the season saw them win eight straight home games to finish sixth and earn a play-off spot.
They drew 0-0 with Leeds at Carrow Road in the first leg on Sunday but a dire performance saw the Whites cruise to the play-off final, where they will play Southampton or West Brom.
Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk after the loss at Elland Road: "This is super disappointing, we were very poor and it really hurts."
Wagner, who led Huddersfield to promotion to the Premier League in 2017, was appointed in January 2023, replacing Dean Smith, and eventually finished 13th in the Championship last season.
He failed to reference Knapper during a post-game press conference following the final day 1-0 defeat at Birmingham, despite praising his predecessor Webber for his support.
Norwich face a potentially difficult summer with United States international Josh Sargent, their top scorer with 16 goals, and fellow forward Jonathan Rowe - whose season was disrupted by injury following a flying start - likely to attract attention in the transfer market.
Defender Dimitris Giannoulis, Ben Gibson and Sam McCallum are among those out of contract and they will also need to consider potential replacements for striker Ashley Barnes, who will be 35 in October.
Talks are also likely about the future of Adam Idah, who was allowed to join Celtic on loan and contributed eight goals in their title-winning Scottish Premiership campaign.
It is a time of change at Carrow Road as Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones are no longer majority shareholders, with Norfolk FB Holdings, led by American businessman Mark Attanasio, now matching their 40% stake.
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