Well, ReadNorwich has been dormant for almost six years… so, what have we missed since the last Norwich City article in August of 2020? Let me (briefly) take you through each season’s key talking points, so that we can get you back up to speed.
2020-21 – First in the Championship (again!)
What an unbelievable season this was, and no fans were allowed in Carrow Road to witness it. City produced a dominant Championship campaign, winning the league comfortably under Daniel Farke. We played confident, possession-based football and showed clear tactical cohesion, regularly outclassing our opponents.
Emi Buendia was the standout performer, to the surprise of absolutely no one – contributing 14 goals and 16 assists. This season restored belief, and got us thinking that maybe this time, we’d get it right in the Premier League.
2021-22 – 20th in the Premier League (again…)
Turns out we couldn’t get it right. It didn’t help that Buendia was sold to Aston Villa, either, albeit for a club record sale of £33m. Farke was dismissed early, with Dean Smith appointed to stabilise the team.
Performances improved slightly. But defensive weaknesses, a lack of goals, and an inability to compete consistently led to relegation well before the season ended. It also meant that we now hold the record of most relegations from the English top flight, this being our sixth.
2022-23 – 13th in the Championship
Back in the Championship, expectations were high for an immediate promotion challenge. We remained in and around the play-off places for much of the season. Inconsistency and defensive lapses disrupted momentum. It led to the dismissal of Smith, who was replaced by David Wagner,
The season ended in disappointment, underlining that rebuilding after repeated relegations isn’t exactly a straightforward process.
2023-24 – Sixth in the Championship
This season was particularly interesting. We scored 79 goals in the league – the fifth-highest in the Championship – highlighting the offensive capabilities under Wagner. Defensive frailties were exposed, though, none more so than in a 6-2 loss to Plymouth Argyle.
But how did the playoffs go? A 0-0 draw with Leeds United (now managed by Farke) in the first leg gave some hope, but all of that vanished as Leeds convincingly won 4-0 at Elland Road. As a result of that, Wagner was dismissed.
Off the pitch, significant ownership developments unfolded. American businessman Mark Attanasio increased his stake in the club to 40.4% on 24 April 2024, formally establishing him as co-owner.
2024-25 – 13th in the Championship (again?)
This was very much a season that was endured, not enjoyed. Danish coach Johannes Hoff Thorup was the man tasked with rediscovering Norwich City’s identity. At times, it looked like it was working, but he was given his P45 after a 3-1 loss away at Millwall in April 2025.
His side certainly wasn’t boring, though; their goal tally of 71 was the second highest in the league, but they also had the fourth-worst defence, conceding 68 in their 46 Championship games. Borja Sainz was the shining light in a poor campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing 4 assists.
2025-26 – 17th in the Championship (as it stands)
“Seventeenth? That can’t be right…”
Let me explain why we’re in that place. Liam Manning was brought in during the summer off the back of reaching the playoffs with Bristol City.
However, his time at Norwich was atrocious. Eight successive home league defeats left us languishing near the bottom of the table. After a defeat to Leicester City in early November, Manning was relieved of his duties with us 23rd in the table.
That led to the appointment of Philippe Clement.
A Norwich City saviour is born
The Belgian coach has worked absolute wonders in his time in NR1 so far. He’s restored structure and confidence at Carrow Road, and the performances have come leaps and bounds. Norwich now sits top of the form table over the last 10 games, winning seven of them.
So, to bring you right up to speed. We’re currently seven points clear of the bottom three, and nine points off the top six with 14 games to go. We’re also into the last 16 of the FA Cup.
We couldn’t, could we?
OTBC
