In a sign of pure panic, Norwich City have sacked Chris Hughton and his backroom staff with just five games left in the season. The Canaries announced their youth coach Neil Adams, who guided the young Canaries to FA Youth Cup glory last year, has been named first-team manager.
After losing 1-0 ay home to West Brom at the weekend, Norwich have a five-point lead over third from bottom Fulham, who they pay this weekend. But Norwich finishes with games against Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal adding to the importance of getting something from the Fulham match.
The club said in a statement on their website:
“Norwich City can confirm Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Trollope have parted company with the club with immediate effect – and former Canary winger and FA Youth Cup-winning coach Neil Adams has been appointed as first team manager.”
“Chris’s achievement in guiding City to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last season was an excellent one and he has represented the club with dignity throughout his tenure.
“However the recent run of four defeats in our last six Premier League games and six consecutive away league defeats, left the club with no choice but to act, with five games still to play in the current campaign.”
It is unfathomable to me that the Norwich board would panic this much. It is very unlikely that Norwich will pick up any points from its last four games, meaning that Saturday’s Fulham game is their only realistic chance to add to their point total this season. So why fire your manager now, and put replace him with an inexperienced coach ahead of your biggest game of the season?
