Pep Lijnders emerges as a candidate for Norwich City manager role
Former Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders has reportedly entered the frame for the vacant managerial position at Norwich City.
According to The Telegraph, the Canaries plan to hold talks with Lijnders this week as they continue their search for a successor to Johannes Hoff Thorup, who was unexpectedly dismissed last month after Norwich failed to reach the Championship play-offs.
Following Thorup’s departure, Jack Wilshere stepped in as interim boss and guided the team to a 13th-place finish, earning four points from two matches. Despite speculation that he might be given the job permanently, sporting director Ben Knapper recently confirmed that Wilshere is not being considered for the role and is set to depart the club.
Knapper has made it clear that the club’s recruitment process will focus on external candidates, with Lijnders among those under consideration.
Lijnders, 42, served as Jürgen Klopp’s assistant at Liverpool for nearly a decade, helping the Reds secure major honours including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. He briefly managed NEC in the Netherlands in 2018 and, following his departure from Anfield in 2024, took charge of Red Bull Salzburg. However, he was dismissed after just seven months in Austria, with the club struggling both domestically and in Europe.
Despite that setback, Norwich are reportedly keen to assess Lijnders as they weigh up their options. However, he’s not the only name in the mix. Former Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has already spoken with the club, while Steve Cooper — previously in charge at Nottingham Forest and Leicester City — has also been approached, though he is not expected to take the job.
Meanwhile, ex-Norwich captain Russell Martin, recently dismissed by Southampton, is not believed to be in contention.
While Lijnders aligns with the club’s preference for a progressive, up-and-coming coach, his underwhelming record in head coaching roles makes him a potentially risky choice. After the Thorup misstep, Knapper faces pressure to make the right call — and more experienced figures like Cooper or O’Neil might be viewed as safer bets with proven Championship or Premier League credentials.
