City reacts to sacking of Norwich manager Wagner

Just 12 hours after Norwich City were thumped 4-0 by Daniel Farke's Leeds in their play-off semi-final, boss David Wagner has been sacked. What do fans make of it and who would they like to see replace him as the Canaries face a third successive season in the Championship?

Chris Reeve, 30, who co-hosts The Scrimmage podcast on BBC Radio Norfolk, said: "He [Wagner] is a good bloke and he's tried his best but the writing was on the wall following the torrid winter period when I would go as far as saying that the performances were pathetic.

"The way we lost to Leeds last night was inexcusable and unacceptable – you just can’t lose like that.

"I'm really pleased Norwich City's board of directors have acted on it within 24 hours. It shows the right intent going into next season.

"It's still a bit early to talk about a new manager as the dust needs to settle on this season but I'd like to see someone young and hungry, perhaps new to management who will develop the youth team."

Meanwhile, Simon Thomas, a Sky Sports TV presenter and Norwich City fan, posted on social media that David Wagner could not "tap into the potential" of his squad.

Posting on X, external, he said he was pleased to see the club react swiftly to avoid a "directionless summer".

In regards to a new manager, he said he backed Liam Rosenior who was sacked by Hull earlier this month after they failed to reach the Championship play-offs.

"[He is] young, hungry, talented & would be brilliant for our younger players," he said.

Cedric Anselin, a former French international and Norwich player, said: "It doesn’t shock me at all. We didn’t hear anything from the board to say they were in touch with Wagner's agent about a new contract.

"It was clear that his job was to take the team to the play-offs but unfortunately with the game last night we were outclassed and we didn’t show any fight. We didn’t battle in any part of the game.

"I don't have anybody in mind who might replace him but people have been talking about Carlos Cuesta [Arsenal assistant coach].

"We just need someone who's going to bring back the excitement again, bring the fans to Carrow Road [and] lift them from their seats."

Robin Sainty, chairman of the Canaries Trust, external supporters' group, said he was not surprised by Wagner's departure, adding that it was "certainly not a knee-jerk reaction to the play-offs".

"I think Ben Knapper [the club's new sporting director] has got clear ideas on how he wants the club to play and I don't think David Wagner's style of play suited that," he said.

"It's difficult to talk about individual managers but in terms of style Knapper said he wanted Norwich to play attacking-based football and that's what we need – a head coach that does that.

"The fans have had a tough time since Daniel Farke left; Dean Smith’s football was hard to watch and Wagner has been ultra cautious.

"As long as were going in the right direction with the right ethos the fans will buy into that."

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