Norwich City sack head coach David Wagner after 4-0 play-off semi-final defeat to Leeds United

Norwich City let David Wagner go after less than 18 months in charge.

Less than a day has gone by since his team’s 4-0 semi-final loss to Leeds United, who are coached by former boss Daniel Farke, humiliated them.

Despite trailing Leeds by 17 points in the standings, Norwich approached Elland Road with optimism following Sunday’s 0-0 stalemate at Carrow Road in the first leg. But it was a night to forget, that evening.

With just one shot on target in the return, they were noticeably inferior.

In what ended up being his farewell press conference, Canaries manager David Wagner said, “A very disappointing evening, and a very disappointing end of the season obviously as well.”

“We have done pretty much everything you shouldn’t have done.”

In what proved to be a highly prescient statement, he went on, adding, “Even if it doesn’t count in this game I would like to thank every player, every staff member for the last 10 months for the effort which they brought on the pitch.”
On the official website, sporting director Ben Knapper posted the following statement: “We think it’s time to take a different approach at this time. David has led Norwich City with grace and dignity.”

“We remain committed to improving our football team both now and in the future by employing a thorough and deliberate approach.

“The choice of a new head coach is very important. Now that we have started our investigation, we will attempt to set up a meeting as soon as feasible.

David and Christoph have our sincere gratitude for their commitment to and support of Norwich City. We wish them well in all of their future professional pursuits.

The team also announced the departure of assistant head coach Christoph Bühler.
Wagner won 31 of his 75 games in management after taking over for Dean Smith in January 2023. He also presided over 27 losses.

There is currently conjecture about the club’s forty-first first team manager. Arsenal’s coach Carlos Cuesta is a 4/1 favourite at Sky Bet.

Other contenders include Will Still, the former Ligue 1 coach of Reims, and Steve Cooper, the former manager of Forest. The Championship team Hull City just sacked Liam Rosenior.