Norwich City manager Daniel Wagner has faced criticism from fans following the team’s recent poor performance in the league. The club is undergoing several changes, including the appointment of Ben Knapper as the new sporting director. Although Knapper’s official start date is November 27, he will be working alongside current sporting director Stuart Webber during the transition period. The club is also going through changes in its shareholder mix, with Mark Attanasio’s group set to become minority owners along with Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones.
In a recent article, columnist Chris Sutton called for Knapper to start earlier, but Wagner stated that there are no plans to fast-track him into the position. Wagner confirmed that there have been no crisis talks with Webber or technical director Neil Adams following the team’s recent loss to Middlesbrough. He reiterated that he meets with them regularly to discuss the team’s progress and future plans.
Wagner dismissed comparisons between Norwich City’s situation and his previous coaching experience at Schalke. He stated that the challenges at Schalke, including financial problems and the threat of bankruptcy, were far more severe than the current situation at Norwich. Wagner commended the board and owners of Norwich City for their handling of the sporting director situation and highlighted the importance of the handover period between Webber and Knapper.
Wagner emphasized that the club is still operating in a professional and proper manner, despite the team’s poor results. He expressed his excitement for Knapper’s arrival and stated that he deserves to be the one making decisions and leading the club with support from everyone involved. Wagner also commended the ownership transition for being well-organized and professional. He urged people not to question the behind-the-scenes work because of the team’s current struggles on the field.
Overall, Norwich City is undergoing changes in its management and ownership, but Wagner remains confident in the professionalism and organization of the club. Despite facing criticism, he believes that the team’s difficulties on the field do not reflect the quality of the work being done behind the scenes.
