It’s happened. Though not the way many expected. Neil Adams, Norwich City manager, has resigned (rather than being sacked by the board) after a first half of the season that has left many fans without promotion hopes.
His sheer inexperience was a worry – one that many pointed out when first appointed – but the board hoped that his personal love and history with the club would be sufficient in bringing together the team and fans alike. Unfortunately, the fairy tale ending never amassed. The goals dried up at one end, and came gushing through at the other, and while a recent spell of form appeared to be a turning point, inconsistency crept in. The last straw came this weekend, when Norwich City bowed out of the FA Cup to League One opposition Preston.
Adams originally made his name as a coach through his wonderful development of the U18s, who went on to win the FA Youth Cup in 2013. It was an achievement to be proud of, with many of the opposition sides having had colossal financial support.
However, when Hughton was belatedly sacked just five games from the end of our final Premier League season, Adams was asked to take the reins. He managed an impressive 0-0 draw against Chelsea, but it wasn’t enough. Norwich were sentenced to at least one season in the Championship. The board then underwent a process which apparently involved a scour of ‘Europe’s managerial candidates’, before returning to reappoint the interim manager and ex-youth coach.
This season was always going to be tough. The expectations were huge. Anything less than promotion would be seen as a failure. But despite Phelan’s help, Adams and Norwich City find themselves adrift, with the prospect of an away thumping to Bournemouth looming. An opening day defeat to Wolves perhaps foreshadowed what was to come, but a run which yielded 20 points from a possible 24 sent Norwich rocketing up the table. That form, however, subsided with many points squirming away, and Norwich consequently fell from top position, to 9th, waving Ipswich by on the way down. His resignation has been met with the delight of most fans, with 81% asking for him to be sacked at the weekend (according to a recent TCC poll).
“I firmly believe that we are still on course for a crack at promotion back to the Premier League,” said Adams, who was unable to stop the slide towards relegation last season. That is where this club belongs. However, I feel it is in the best interests of the team that an immediate change is made in order to ensure a positive impact on results.”
We must thank Adams for what he has contributed to the club, and also that he has recognised he is out of his depth. It’s the most dignified exit for someone with such close links to the club. Now the board have another job on their hands; finding a new manager and backing them with funds while the transfer window remains wide open.
