Farke Sacked // Smith appointed

I think even without official talks happening, they might have sounded some interested parties out.

I'm basing that on the assumption that Webber is competent; the confidence there seems to be that we'll have a new manager this week; and the fact all the coaches were sacked too.

 

Let’s not forget that you need to be decisive with sacking a manager - there’s no way he could warn Farke in advance as you then have a demotivated, lame duck manager. It’s a decision you make in the moment and then press the button when all is agreed.

I have no doubt they will have been looking around and may even have taken some soundings, but it would be very difficult to take concrete steps.

Speaking personally, Dean Smith would be a boring choice but my first one. I think he would give us the best chance of staying up and a decent chance of re-promotion if relegated.

 

Article here about Knutsen's management style: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.fo...rway-spfl-manager-gossip-rumours-analysis/amp


The 2-3-4-1 formation sounds fun, even if "kamikaze" does sound like an appropriate description.

Sounds like he's innovative, but perhaps would need time to figure out what innovations work in the Prem. Reminds me of Farke being set on a 4-1-4-1 formation until it didn't survive first contact with the Championship.

 

I was trying to figure out a reason for the timing. I guess there was no good time to do it if the board only made the decision on Friday. It still stinks.

 

Lampard rumours picking up pace on twitter

 

Not a disaster and I will support our manager even if it would be (gulp) Colin (I just still wouldn’t like him…), but I will be mildly disappointed if we go with Lampard. He’s obviously a big name and keen to make one for himself, but nothing about his management so far has made me think he’s got an interesting way of doing things and nor does he have any really valuable experience of a team in a plight like ours.

 

I don’t sign up to the Athletic, but some very gracious (and totally him) comments from Farke quoted here:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/farke-sends-classy-ncfc-message-after-dismissal-8470044

Great guy, sad to see him go, but I get the impression from the quote that he also felt it was probably time to part ways. I think that might be right and for him to make the next grade as a manager he needs somewhere new.

The last manager to leave with such emotion for me was probably Worthington.

 

Shortest odds appear to be Lampard and Knutsen though I suspect SW will have someone we've not heard of flown in in the next few days. Knutsen's tied up till Jan realistically as well. Given our situation I don't think having a caretaker like Weaver or perhaps even Hodgson through till then is really viable. We're already playing catch up as it is. Just glad we have Webber sorting this out. Good experience for Neil Adams to watch over the cogs turning on this situation too.

 

I imagine we all have people we'd be happy with and (more strongly) people we don't want, but it's all really guesswork, both in terms of who we get and also whether that person will fit the club and be a success here.

Personally, I don't want Lampard, and I certainly don't want Dean Smith, Bruce, Warnock, Hodgson, Martin.

I hear Big Sam is on his way to Madrid, so we won't be getting him. Shame.

 

Yes,shame. If Farke had to go he'd be my choice. I wouldn't rule out Colin either. Please not Frank!

 

Another snippet:

"EXCL: Norwich manager search down to 2 candidates. Both modern, forward-thinking coaches. Talks began Sunday, process should be completed within a week & appointment expected in time for Southampton on 20 Nov."
@michaeljbailey for @TheAthleticUK
#NCFC

https://theathletic.com/news/norwichs-managerial-search-down-to-two-final-candidates/rYpCfYBiY6Qw/

Meanwhile, MFW latest on Lampard:

https://norwichcity.myfootballwriter.com/2021/11/08/no-lampard-talks-over-norwich-job/

 

What a classy guy Daniel is. This has been a totally committed management team from day one. The passion and dedication of Daniel and the whole team has been amazing, even down to coaching staff being booked for contesting decisions on the pitch. Our club has grown hugely in many different ways as a result. A massive thanks to Daniel and the whole management team.

 

The only point I would make regarding that statement is that it raises questions why, with corruption endemic at the very top of society, were we right to get rid of someone with such obvious integrity. Don't reckon it will be long before a Championship club snaps him up.

 

To add to that, it says "experienced but modern". So I would say that rules out Lampard, or whoever is Dortmund II's coach currently.

And also, Bruce, Big Sam, Colin, etc or whatever other media links there have been obviously.

 

Having read that article, I can see why Celtic could be interested in Knutsen, as they and Rangers are the dominant teams in the SPL. The PL is a very different situation though. Expansive football gets punished heavily as we found out early on. What we need is a Head Coach who can make us solid in defence while also being flexible and creative in attack, using the pace we have to counter-attack effectively. The next two games are crucial and we need a coach who can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact, analysing our opponents and making the most of what we have. Knutsen doesn't fit that for me.

 

I think that's probably a clear first choice and a backup. Discussions around backroom staff suggest the managerial candidate is interested and on the same page?

 

I also thought Aarons was upfield for their goal, but having watched the highlights he was actually pulled to the left post, leaving our right totally open.

 

Lampard in discussions with NCFC with regard to vacant managerial position. Why would Lampard be interested in NCFC when there is a vacancy at Aston Villa?

 

Lucien Favre would be my choice, whether he would come is another matter