Norwich City column: Bristol City boss Liam Manning is an appealing option as next manager at Carrow Road with Russell Martin ruled out
Well, another week has flown by, and we are still waiting (patiently) for Norwich City to appoint a successor to Johannes Hoff Thorup.
Admittedly, by this stage I thought I would have a new head coach to write about, but Ben Knapper had other ideas. To be fair, our sporting director did say he would conduct a thorough search for the right man, a promise he is certainly living up to.
But for all the uncertainty, one person we know it won’t be is Russell Martin, with there having been no contact between the club and our former captain. Honestly, I think it is a shame – although I know there are many with differing views to that.
As for those in contention, there appears to be several candidates who have been interviewed by the club – if we are to believe reports – including another former player, Gary O’Neil, and Pep Lijnders. Judging by social media, I don’t think either of the aforementioned names would be met with great levels of enthusiasm from the Carrow Road faithful.
Unsurprisingly, it is reported that Bristol City boss Liam Manning has been sounded out, along with candidates from across Europe, namely Christian Titz and Brian Priske.
Manning would certainly be a welcome addition in my eyes, having built a solid reputation during his time at the Robins and at MK Dons previously. As for Titz and Priske, I know precious little about either, although Titz’s FC Magdeburg looked incredibly impressive during their pre-season trip to Norfolk last summer.
Ultimately, it will be difficult for whoever eventually signs on the dotted line to fulfil all the ideals we are looking for. There will have to be some degree of compromise, or to put it another way, risk.
But my main hope is that they fit the philosophy of the club, both in terms of their personality and style of play. That would at least give us something to build upon heading into next season.
