Norwich City Part Ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup Amid Poor Form
Norwich City made a bold move on Tuesday morning by parting company with head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.
The Danish manager, appointed in May 2024 as David Wagner’s replacement, was seen as a key figure in the club’s long-term plans, thanks to his alignment with Norwich’s footballing philosophy and overall vision.
Despite those high hopes, Thorup’s tenure was marred by inconsistency. The Canaries struggled to maintain any real momentum in their pursuit of a play-off spot and faltered particularly badly during the final third of the campaign, recording just one win in their last ten games — a dismal run that ultimately led to his dismissal.
Jack Wilshere, previously a first-team coach, has been promoted to interim head coach for the final two matches of the season, though a permanent successor has yet to be announced. Football League World has been following the latest developments closely.
What Led to Thorup’s Departure
Although Thorup was brought in as part of a long-term project and many supporters accepted that immediate success was unlikely, the timing of his departure caught many off guard. Less than a year into the job, the club opted for a change following a significant dip in both results and performances.
Sporting director Ben Knapper addressed the decision, saying: “While we appointed Johannes with a view to the long term and in alignment with our broader strategic aims, recent results and displays made it necessary to make a change.”
Though the decision may have come as a surprise to Thorup, a sustained downturn in form can be difficult to recover from once momentum is lost.
Wilshere Gets a Big Chance
At just 33, Jack Wilshere now steps up to lead Norwich in their final fixtures of the campaign. Having joined the club in October following a spell in charge of Arsenal’s Under-18s — where he guided them to the 2022–23 FA Youth Cup final — Wilshere has worked closely under Thorup and now gets his first taste of senior management.
His first match in charge comes against Middlesbrough on Saturday, followed by a season-ending clash against Cardiff City, who are currently being led by his former Arsenal team-mate, Aaron Ramsey.
It remains unclear whether Wilshere will be considered for the permanent position, but his coaching style mirrors the club’s values, and a strong showing in these final two games could boost his chances.
Russell Martin in the Frame for a Return
One name being linked with the role is former Norwich defender Russell Martin. Now available after leaving Southampton, Martin spent nine years at Carrow Road as a player, helping the club to two Premier League promotions and amassing over 300 appearances.
Football League World pundit Zeke Downes believes Martin could be a serious candidate: “I think Russell Martin will be up there. He’s got the Norwich connection and did a decent job at Southampton. Wilshere might be considered, but I’m not sure he’s ready just yet.”
While Martin struggled in the Premier League with Southampton, he did guide them to promotion from the Championship via the play-offs last season and previously impressed at Swansea City. His possession-based approach is thought to align well with Norwich’s preferred style of play, making a potential reunion a genuine possibility.
As the search continues, other names could also emerge in the coming weeks.
