Norwich City urged to consider dream Russell Martin reunion to replace Thorup | OneFootball

FLW's Norwich City pundit gives his take on who could be in line to fill the managerial vacancy at Carrow Road.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Norwich City made the decision on Tuesday morning to part ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup following a run of one win in 10 games.

The Canaries had lingered on the fringes of the play-off spots for much of the season, but a dismal final third of the campaign has ultimately cost the Dane his job.

While sides like Bristol City, Coventry City, and Middlesbrough have been stringing together consistent wins, Norwich have endured a series of disappointing results. Over the Easter weekend, they suffered a 5-3 defeat at home to Portsmouth, followed by another loss at The Den against Millwall.

In the statement which confirmed the Dane's departure, the club's sporting director, Ben Knapper, said: "Whilst we made this appointment with a long-term focus and in line with our wider club strategy and direction, unfortunately recent results and performances have deemed it necessary for us to make a change."

Jack Wilshere has been made the interim head coach for the final two games of the season, but who will be the permanent addition at the helm remains unclear.

Russell Martin reunion pinpointed as possible option

To get a Carrow Road point of view on who could take over at the Canaries, Football League World spoke to their resident Norwich pundit, Zeke Downes, who believes the club will look at a youthful option again.

"I would imagine that we will probably be going for another younger manager who is at the start of their career, who can grow with the squad," Downes told FLW.

"Similar playstyle - not that we really knew what that was by the end of Thorup's time.

"They have got a lot of young players who are supposed to be suiting the system, but it will be interesting to see who we get."

Speaking about possible options, Downes added: "I think Russell Martin will be up there.

"He has his links to Norwich and he did an okay job with Southampton, but he wasn't great in the Premier League. It could be him, it could be Wilshere on a permanent, but I think Wilshere isn't going to be ready for that yet. It could also be a random name from abroad who we haven't heard of yet.

"For certain, it will be a younger, up-and-coming one rather than the more experienced names like Steve Cooper. That would be going back to Dean Smith and David Wagner."

Russell Martin's homecoming could be on the cards

As Downes alluded to, it seems unlikely that Norwich wouldn’t consider Martin as a candidate.

While his Southampton side struggled badly in the Premier League, he did an excellent job guiding them back to the top flight in 2023/24, winning the play-off final against Leeds United in the process.

There’s also the romantic notion of a reunion with the Norwich City faithful. Martin spent nine years at Carrow Road during his playing days, making over 300 appearances and playing a key role in helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League on two occasions.

He knows the club inside out, and a return feels like it could be a match made in heaven.