- Clement implements an intense post-season training camp at Colney.
- Ruairi McConville publicly backs the demanding ten-day physical schedule.
- Squad completes tactical testing alongside high-spirited coastal beach sessions.
While five of Norwich City’s internationals have packed their bags for the 2026 World Cup, Philippe Clement ensured that the remaining members of his first-team squad didn’t slip into holiday mode straight after the final day of the season.
In an unconventional move designed to establish some improved physical parameters for next season, the Belgian implemented a mandatory 10-day end-of-term at Colney following the conclusion of the Championship season.
Rather than releasing the squad immediately after the final whistle against Hull City, Clement chose to give them a few days off but then prolonged their season to focus on conditioning and baseline testing.
Building for the Norwich City future
The decision to extend training deep into May could have been badly received, but no one argues with Philippe Clement and the response from the squad has, reportedly, been overwhelmingly positive.
Northern Irish defender Ruairi McConville publicly backed the head coach’s demanding regime, insisting that the first-team group were “all up for it” and fully embraced the opportunity to fine-tune their fitness ahead of a promotion push next season.
For Clement, this post-season block served as a valuable window. It allowed him and his management team to conduct fitness assessments without the pressure of an upcoming matchday, while integrating players who spent the spring recovering from long-term setbacks.
Among those benefiting from the extended work was Jovon Makama, who used the sessions to test his recovery following a fractured bone in his foot sustained back in February.
🌊 The North Norfolk send-off
[ Conditioning & Testing Block ]
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[ Wells-next-the-Sea Beach ]
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[ Support Carrow Road Academy Final ]
It was not entirely work, though. Clement balanced the physical workload with some ‘fun’ team-building exercises. The standout moment of the week saw the squad travel up to the north Norfolk coast for a gruelling yet lighthearted session on the sand at Wells-next-the-Sea.
The mini-camp concluded with a show of club unity. Clement, alongside assistant Stephan Van Der Heyden and the senior players, gathered at Carrow Road to support the club’s Under-21 side in their play-off final.
With the 10 days of intensive integration now officially complete, the non-World Cup Norwich contingent has now been dismissed for their summer breaks before reporting back to Colney for pre-season at the end of June.
