Norwich City are now in their third consecutive season in the Championship, but fans at Carrow Road will look back fondly on their club’s three-year stint in the Premier League during the last decade.
That period began with the 2011/12 season and ended after a challenging 2013/14 campaign.
The 2011/12 season is especially cherished by Canaries supporters, as the team secured a 12th-place finish in the Premier League just a year after earning automatic promotion from the Championship. In a remarkable feat, Norwich improved on that success by finishing 11th in the 2012/13 season, defying expectations once again.
A key figure in the Canaries’ unexpected success during the 2012/13 campaign was Norway international Alex Tettey. Signed by then-manager Chris Hughton from French club Rennes in the summer of 2012, Tettey became a cornerstone of the Norwich squad.
Tettey Becomes a Norwich Legend
Tettey joined Norwich for a reported fee of around £3 million, a modest sum for a player with 10 Europa League appearances for Rennes during the previous season. However, his performances soon proved that the investment was a bargain.
After his arrival, Tettey quickly cemented his place in Hughton’s side, making 27 Premier League appearances in his debut season. His first goal for the club came in the EFL Cup, though his first Premier League goal wouldn’t come until the 2013/14 season—a campaign that ultimately ended in relegation for Norwich despite Tettey’s efforts in 21 league games.
While relegation to the Championship in 2014 was a setback, Norwich bounced back the following year via the play-offs. Tettey played a crucial role in their promotion, delivering his best statistical return for the club with two goals and an assist.
One of his standout moments came during the 2015/16 Premier League season when he scored in a 2-1 away victory over Manchester United. Despite that memorable highlight, the Canaries were relegated again at the end of the campaign.
Consistent and Reliable Through the Years
Tettey remained a vital part of the Norwich squad for three more seasons in the Championship, contributing to their title-winning campaign under Daniel Farke in 2018/19. During the subsequent Premier League season, he was once again a key player but could not prevent another relegation.
In the 2020/21 season, Tettey’s remarkable tenure with the club concluded on a high note as Norwich claimed their second Championship title under Farke, capping off nine seasons of outstanding service.
A Legacy That’s Hard to Match
Over his nine years at Carrow Road, Tettey played a pivotal role in three promotions and was a cornerstone of one of the club’s most successful Premier League campaigns in 2012/13. His contributions have set a high standard for any future midfielders at Norwich, leaving a lasting legacy that will be hard to replicate.
