Birmingham manager Chris Hughton could soon be exchanging one City hot seat for another.
Birmingham City ‘reluctantly’ accept Chris Hughton may join Norwich City
David Cuffley
Thursday, June 7, 2012
10:12 AM
Birmingham City have described Chris Hughton as a “great manager” – after reluctantly giving him permission to start talks with Norwich City.
The two clubs were reported to have agreed a compensation deal of about £2m before the 53-year-old was allowed to speak to the Canaries about replacing Paul Lambert at Carrow Road.
As it appeared increasingly likely that Hughton would be confirmed as Lambert’s successor, the Blues were clearly disappointed at the prospect of losing him after just one season, when he guided them into fourth place in the Championship before a play-off semi-final defeat by Blackpool.
A statement released by Birmingham read: “Birmingham City FC can confirm that Norwich City FC have made an approach for Chris Hughton with regards to their vacant managerial position. Hughton expressed a wish to speak to the Canaries and permission was reluctantly granted.”
Acting chairman Peter Pannu said: “Chris is a great manager and deserves the opportunity to speak to Norwich, which is why we have granted him permission to speak to them.”
A statement from Carrow Road was shorter still: “Norwich City can confirm that Birmingham City have granted the club permission to speak to Chris Hughton about the vacant managerial position at Carrow Road. The club will be making no further comment at this stage.”
Hughton had been linked to the managerial vacancy at the Blues’ neighbours, West Bromwich Albion, before the Canaries made their move.
Hughton, on a one-year rolling contract, has spent less under 12 months at St Andrew’s after replacing Alex McLeish following his controversial move to fierce rivals Aston Villa.
The former Tottenham player guided Newcastle to the Championship title in 2010 before surprisingly losing his job in December of that year with the Magpies 11th in the Premier League.
Hughton became a popular figure at Birmingham and was greatly admired by supporters, who look set for a difficult summer as the club’s uncertain financial future continues to provide concern.
Battling against well-documented cash-flow problems and having put together a new-look side following their relegation from the Premier League, Hughton led Birmingham impressively in both the Europa League and FA Cup before finishing fourth in the Championship.
In a marathon season of 62 games in all competitions, the Blues won 26, drew 21 and lost 15.
Reports suggest Hughton will be joined at Norwich by his assistant at Birmingham, Colin Calderwood, and coach Paul Trollope, but the position of goalkeeping coach Dave Watson – currently with the England coaching team at Euro 2012 – is less clear.
More Sport news
- Norwich City’s struggles to find the right midfield mixes
- Audio: Jonny Howson - Norwich City showed they can cope with pressure
- Russell Martin so proud of Norwich City’s achievement
- Robert Snodgrass tops Norwich City’s charts on way to Premier League safety
- Jack Yule earns crack at Brabazon Trophy
- Region’s stars are set for Royal Cromer Golf Club challenge
- Ian Ellis is warming up nicely
- Test your knowledge of Norwich City’s Premier League campaign with our end of season quiz
- Ipswich Town fan Billy Bird vows to win over rivals with Epic boxing show
- John Bailey: How to combat a day of irritations
ADVERTISEMENT
13 comments
Yes, remarkable, canarydownunder, I`ve noticed Theo`s achievements pre and post that Norwich nightmare. Was he just dropped in it unprepared by an ex-goalkeeping manager and the goalkeeping coach, Crichton? If so, no wonder Gunn had to go. In typical Lambert fashion, it was all swept up and disposed of neatly. In hindsight, I think MT was dropped in it, but I know not why, can only surmise. Management incompetence springs to mind, though.......
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Yes Brewer Vasper was reserve keeper to Keelan is the late 60's. I didn't rate Roger Hansbury much either. Theoklitos is actually performing very well in the A league down here.
Report this comment
canarydownunder
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Crab Fragmentation Method. ;-)
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
"Management teams available only as Boxed Sets. Strictly no Pick `n` Mix." New FA rule in the making?
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
A Jeff Woods on W`pedia. 58. Was a `keeper. Not much else.
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Not being impolite, Swiss, my "thankyou" must be "offensive"; keeps getting ethered!
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
I`ve found a Jeff Woods on Wicki, Swiss, who was a goalie, but it says SFA about him, really. He`s 58 & was a goalie, that`s about it! It`s all a bit complex, this moving en bloc or not thing. Perhaps management teams should only be available as boxed sets? No Pick `n` Mix!
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Yes Jeff Wood is current keeping coach, http:www.ex-canaries.co.ukplayerswood-jeff.htm Seems like Houghton will bring his own team and i would expect Karsa and Cully to go with the Lord. Wonder wot the odds are our 1st game will be V the Villa...bet when ever it is it will be live on Sky tho
Report this comment
CanarySid
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Brewer, it's Jeff Wood but I don't know anything else about him. The AV info now states that the Assitsant Manager job is now vacant, no doubt enter Cully. However, the first team coaches are Gordan Cowans who is highly rated at Villa and Lambo has already intimnated is staying, and Kevin MacDonald who has a soild player & coach record with big clubs (including Rangers, ooooh) . If Hughton wants to bring in his own AM and Coach then it starts toi get a bit congested around the coaching area.
Report this comment
Swiss Canary
Thursday, June 7, 2012
That`s true, Swiss. Only 2 glitches that I can remember; a guy called Peter Vasper, can`t remember when, was not so good. Then, of course, we had the debacle post relegation from the Champ when we got poor Theoklitos. Do you know who City`s current goalkeeping coach is, Swiss? I don`t, but Watson is clearly a top man. Original ethering re-emerged!
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
I think we have always had a a good record of developing keepers, we had to really.
Report this comment
Swiss Canary
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ethered. Just trying to say it`s a pity if Dave Watson doesn`t come along. Would have been good for all three of our front-line `keepers.
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012
"The position of the goalkeeping coach is less clear". Pity, I think he could have applied the finishing touches to Ruddy and continued the development of Rudd & Steer. A very highly rated Coach, it seems. Who is NCFC`s current goalkeeping coach?
Report this comment
Mad Brewer
Thursday, June 7, 2012