Norwich City are on the lookout for a new head coach after David Wagner’s departure last week and are set to rival Sunderland for a young head coach who recently managed in one of Europe’s top five leagues, according to the latest reports.
The Canaries had an excellent second half of the season. After struggling until the turn of the year, only Ipswich Town and Leeds United accumulated more points than Wagner’s side in 2024, which eventually lifted the Norfolk club into the play-offs.
Unfortunately, the play-offs didn’t quite go as planned. Following a goalless draw at Carrow Road with Leeds in the first leg, Norwich were thrashed 4-0 in the second leg last Thursday. In the aftermath of this heavy defeat, the club announced that Wagner had left his post with immediate effect.
Now, work has begun behind the scenes to find a successor for the German coach. According to journalist Chris Reeve, Norwich City have opened talks with Sunderland managerial target Will Still over becoming the next head coach.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Reeve confirmed that the 31-year-old had been at the Lotus Training Centre earlier this week.
“Understand Will Still is one of the candidates spoken with by Norwich City to become the new Head Coach.
He’s been at the Lotus Training Centre earlier this week.”
Still recently managed Reims in the Ligue 1 but stood down a few weeks ago amid rising tensions with the board. However, the young manager recently admitted he was open to moving to the Championship, with the ultimate goal being to coach in the Premier League eventually.
Speaking to The Athletic back in February, Still said:
“I would work for a Championship team without a problem,” he said.
“If there’s a Championship club that’s ambitious, that wants to work in the right way and be open and honest about things, and really try and push to get somewhere, then I would love to do that.
“Obviously, the Premier League is the ultimate dream for any manager in the world. I’m not in a rush, either. It’s not that, if I come to England, I have to go to the Premier League, or I have to go to this or that club. If something fits then it fits, and I’d be just as happy doing that.”
Writer’s View
This would be an incredible appointment by Norwich City. Still is wanted by a number of clubs abroad and in England, including Sunderland, who will be potential promotion rivals for the Canaries next season.
Furthermore, he has recently revealed his openness to working in the Championship which is a massive boost for Norwich. Confirming him as Wagner’s successor would make a few clubs in the second tier stand up and take notice.
