“Norwich City’s Manager Hunt: Lijnders Worry, Manning in the Mix, and Thorup Eyes QPR”
Following April’s decision to fire Johannes Hoff Thorup, Norwich City is looking for a new manager.
The Canaries had a lackluster Championship season, falling to 13th place in the standings.
Under David Wagner, the Norfolk team had placed sixth the season before, but under the Dane, they fell 11 points short of the play-off spots.
Norwich will be hopeful that their new hire can close that deficit and get the team back in the running for a Premier League promotion the following season.
Here, we examine the most recent developments on their search for Thorup’s long-term replacement.
Pepijn Lijnders issue
Alan Nixon claims that Norwich’s possible pursuit of Pepijn Lijnders will encounter a significant roadblock.
Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported that the former Liverpool coach was interviewed for the position, with Gary O’Neil and Steve Cooper also being considered.
But it has now been asserted that the amount of money needed to hire him might make a deal impossible.
It is understood that even if he is not working at the moment, his old employer, RB Salzburg, will still need to be paid in order for him to become available.
Liam Manning consideration
According to reports, Liam Manning, the manager of Bristol City, is a contender for the open manager position at Carrow Road.
Ben Jacobs claims that Leicester City is also considering the 39-year-old before they make their Championship comeback.
Despite having grown up in the area and progressed through the levels of the Norwich academy system, Manning guided the Robins to sixth place in the table this season and might feel a strong enough bond with the team to justify a transfer.
But after such a successful campaign, it is unclear if he would be willing to leave Ashton Gate.
As rumors circulate, Bristol Live has also stated that the Norfolk group has not yet made a formal proposal.
Jack Wilshere exit
Following Thorup’s resignation from the club, Jack Wilshere was temporarily appointed head coach of the Norwich first team.
The BBC, however, has reported that the coach left the team after being passed over for the permanent role.
He is looking for his first managerial position. Prior to joining Thorup’s coaching staff last year, he worked at Arsenal at the youth level.
During Wilshere’s two games in charge, Norwich managed four points out of a possible six.
Thorup set for Championship return
After been fired by Norwich in April, Thorup might be headed for a swift return to the Championship.
According to Danish publication Tipsbladet, the 36-year-old is getting closer to QPR’s managerial opening.
| Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich City record (all competitions as per Transfermarkt) | ||||
| Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | W% |
| 47 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 29.79 |
Following their 15th-place finish in the league, the London squad is looking for a new head coach following the departure of Martí Cifuentes.
Only a year after the team had secured a spot in the play-offs, Thorup guided the Canaries to a mid-table position. However, as he nears a transfer to Loftus Road, he is expected to make a swift return to the second level.

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