Norwich City manager David Wagner has admitted that he is under pressure as he gears up for a potentially season-defining clash with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
The Canaries suffered their third defeat on the bounce last weekend against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light and they have failed to record a win since the end of September. As a result, they have slipped to 17th in the Championship, leading to speculation that a change of manager could be on the horizon.
For a club that has traditionally yo-yoed between the Premier League and the Championship over the years, Norwich find themselves already playing catch up in the race for promotion and currently sit six points behind sixth-placed Cardiff City in the final play-off spot. With the division still exceptionally tight, a couple of wins could change the entire complexion of their campaign.
That is why this weekend’s fixture with Blackburn is their most important to date. A win would ease the pressure and put them back in the hunt, but a defeat would surely seal the end of the former Huddersfield Town manager’s rein. Speaking to Sky Sports, the 52-year-old addressed the situation;
“Obviously the situation is how it is. There is pressure, for sure. Obviously as a manager if you don’t win football matches, or not as many as you have done before, there is some pressure.
“But, to be totally honest, the biggest pressure since I started my management career and I decided to go into management is the pressure I put on myself.
“This doesn’t depend on the noise which comes from the outside. It’s more about that obviously I’m not happy with our performances, I’m not happy with what we deliver.
“I’m not happy that we are not able to make the fans happy as well, and this is more the pressure which I have. I have this day in, day out, and obviously at the moment as well.”
With rumours of an imminent dismissal refusing to disperse, The Pink Un asked the gaffer about his future, to which he replied;
“I understand the question, but this is not a question I can answer.
“These are situations you face as a manager, which you don’t like, but these are challenges which are part of the manager’s life.
“Obviously it’s up to me to get this sorted, but how much time or if I get the time? As I said this is not the question for me.”
Writer’s View
Time is fast running out for Wagner at Carrow Road, and even three points might not be enough to save his job this weekend. Norwich are a club who believe they belong in the Premier League and will be desperate to return. The Championship is arguably as tough as it has ever been, which has resulted in a highly competitive division.
Leicester City and Ipswich Town aside, nobody is pulling away and there are currently just 11 points separating third-placed Leeds United and 21st-placed Huddersfield Town. That alone could save Wagner’s skin, but only if he can salvage a win on Sunday.
