Norwich City are hoping to make number one managerial target Johannes Hoff Thorup their next head coach. 

An approach from City to FC Nordsjællend is expected imminently after the conclusion of their Superliga season on Sunday. 

The Danish side will be entitled to compensation for Thorup, which City are ready to pay to acquire his services. 

Thorup is understood to want to make the move to Carrow Road and is excited about the challenge. Norwich have already obtained a work permit for the 35-year-old. 

Conversations are expected to advance in the next 48 hours with City hoping to name the Dane as David Wagner’s successor later this week. 

Norwich have also spoken to Will Still and Pascal Jansen as part of their process, but Ben Knapper identified Thorup as his first choice early on and conversations with the Dane’s camp stretches back months. 

Nordsjælland’s season ended on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against FC Cogenhagen, securing a fourth placed finish but denying them a chance to qualify for Europe, which would have extended Thorup’s campaign into early June. 

That has opened the door for City to swoop for Thorup. The process is expected to gather pace in the coming days. 

Thorup was asked about links to Carrow Road on Sunday, but met the speculation with a straight bat. 

"Have I heard anything from [Norwich]? I want to say, as I have also said several times during this season, that when I am employed somewhere, I have so much respect for the place I am employed," Hoff Thorup told Viaplay.

"Just look at this scenery that is behind me right now. I think it would be so disrespectful of me to go out and talk about other clubs or other situations.

"No matter if it was close or completely miles away - I'm never ever going to go into that because this club means so much that we shouldn't be standing here on the last day of the season talking about everything else."

Thorup has managed Nordsjælland for 16 months since replacing Flemming Pedersen, who moved to become sporting director of the Danish club, selecting the City target as his successor. 

Norwich Evening News: Thorup has managed Nordsjaelland for 16 months, stepping up from assistant manager.Thorup has managed Nordsjaelland for 16 months, stepping up from assistant manager. (Image: Rudi Dalsgaard)

He ranks among the very best at handing young talent an opportunity and hasn't recorded a single league finish below fourth despite competing against sides with significantly bigger resources. 

Nordsjælland have played attacking, possession-based football under Thorup in predominantly a 4-3-3 system. He has averaged 1.79 points per game across his tenure and finished as a runner up in the 2022/23 season. 

Thorup is set to leave the Danish club after a fourth-placed finish this season after 68 matches, winning 35, drawing 17 and losing 16. Nordsjælland have scored 137 goals and conceded 83 during his tenure.