David Wagner sacked by Norwich following play-off heartbreak as Leeds thrash Canaries in semi-finals
Norwich have axed boss David Wagner after less than 18 months in charge.
Wagner has paid the price for Thursday night's 4-0 play-off semi-final defeat at Leeds.
Norwich have also confirmed that his assistant manager Christoph Buhler will also leave the club.
In an official statement, sporting director Ben Knapper said: “David has operated with class and dignity throughout his period as Norwich City head coach, but we now feel that the time is right for us to move in a different direction.
“We remain committed to progressing our football club, in both the short and long-term, working through a diligent and thorough strategy.
“The appointment of a new head coach is an important one. We will now work and continue our due diligence with the view of making an appointment in the near future.”
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Wagner, who steered Huddersfield to promotion to the Premier League in 2017, was appointed as manager at Carrow Road in January 2023.
The 52-year-old German led the Canaries to a sixth-place league finish this season following a mixed end to the campaign.
Norwich managed just two wins from their final seven league games which saw their patchy form continue into the play-off double header with Leeds.
The Canaries dropped to as low as 17th in November but an upturn in form, particularly at home, saw them canter to a play-off spot.
Norwich’s achilles heel has been their stuttering away form which has seen them win just three times on the road in 2024.
The club’s poor away form was again evident in Thursday night’s thrashing at Leeds which saw Daniel Farke’s men race into a three-goal lead before the interval.
Following Thursday’s crushing defeat, Norwich legend Chris Sutton called on the club to part ways with Wagner, citing his brand of football as the main factor behind the club’s failed promotion bid.
"Where do you actually start? We've seen the three clubs who got promoted last season come straight back down, and I love Norwich, but I'm glad this Norwich team aren't getting promoted,” Sutton told Sky Sports.
"A lot of people may find that a strange thing to say, but the last two years in the Premier League, they have been miles off it, and this is worse.
"I think David Wagner is a thoroughly decent bloke, I do, but I think Norwich need a change and need a change of identity. Norwich should be playing possession-orientated football in the Championship.
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"They've gone away from their identity. They've played counter-attacking football this season, had a dreadful start to the season but then he turned it around.
"They were humiliated this evening. He's had a go. I think there is a certain expectation at Norwich City and I think they should be doing better than they are."