After a recent downturn in performance on the pitch, Ben Knapper has taken on a new role as the Canaries’ new footballing figurehead. His 14-year stint at Arsenal in various roles, including loans manager, made him the top candidate for this position. Despite several other potential alternatives, Knapper has ultimately come out ahead. Mark Attanasio, a City director, shed some light on the hurdles Knapper faced in becoming the new figurehead, including discussions with over 20 potential candidates and in-depth interviews and interactions over several months. Attanasio has also praised Knapper for his extensive experience at Arsenal, which provides him with the knowledge and skills required for his new role.
The US sports tycoon Mark Attanasio has developed a close relationship with Webber over the 14 months he has been a part of the board, with their bond being highlighted by their frequent contact and interactions. He also displayed his admiration for the work that Webber has done to modernize the training complex at Colney, especially emphasizing Webber’s forward-looking attitude and use of data analytics, which has significantly benefited the club. Attanasio’s own background in overseeing the Milwaukee Brewers for 19 years, along with his business acumen, made him an ideal partner for the club’s joint majority shareholders. Despite not being well-versed in English football, he has significant experience in sport and is confident about overcoming the challenges that Norwich currently faces, drawing on his previous experiences in his home country.
Attanasio also highlighted the collaborative and collegial nature of the board, likening it to his partnership business model at Crescent Capital investment group. This collaborative approach has been further confirmed by the fact that every board decision so far has been unanimous. Despite his lack of expertise in English football, he has a team at Milwaukee who assists the management at Norwich in various matters, though not related to sporting decisions. This cooperation alludes to his confidence in being able to address the club’s struggles and bring about positive changes, despite the fact that the challenges are different compared to his previous experiences. Overall, the impact of Knapper’s arrival and Mark Attanasio’s vision offers hope for exciting times ahead for the Canaries.
