Double Ben Knapper decision at Norwich City has backfired - new Canaries update may annoy fans | OneFootball

The Canaries' sporting director remains under-fire despite the dismissal of Liam Manning

It has been a disastrous first three months of the 2025/26 season for all connected with Norwich City, with relegation a distinct possibility for the East Anglian outfit.

The Canaries have been on a downward trajectory in recent years, although there was hope that this could be halted heading into the current campaign as they moved to appoint former Bristol City boss, Liam Manning, on a long-term contract.

The 40-year-old, of course, was the mastermind behind the Robins' surge into the play-offs at the back end of last season, having snuck into the top six with a final-day 2-2 draw against Preston North End at Ashton Gate.

Despite suffering the worst aggregate defeat in the history of the post-season frenzy by conceding six times over 180 minutes to Sheffield United, supporters in the West Country still ended the season with a feeling of immense pride, having achieved such a feat for the first time in 17 years.

Unsurprisingly, the Carrow Road hierarchy hoped such developments could be emulated after Johannes Hoff Thorup was unable to last a full year into a long-term deal of his own as the Yellows looked to head into a new era at the beginning of last season after they were on the receiving end of a play-off semi-final battering in 2024, with a 4-0 defeat in the second-leg to Leeds United proving to be David Wagner's final straw.

However, it's fair to say that such crucial decisions, which have lied with sporting director, Ben Knapper, haven't gone anywhere near as planned, meaning those on the terraces are likely to put more scrutiny on the former Arsenal figure's name amid fresh developments.

Ben Knapper has misfired with two crucial Norwich City managerial decisions

At the time of his appointment as sporting director to replace the outgoing Stuart Webber 24 months ago, Knapper's arrival in Norfolk was met with a general feeling of excitement, and one which is a far cry from the current atmosphere at Carrow Road.

"There are clearly some very good foundations already in place. I’m really looking forward to getting started, meeting everyone and contributing to the next chapter of success in the club’s journey," he said at the time.

Those foundations did, of course, see Norwich into the play-offs just months after his move from North London, where he conducted several roles within a 13-year period.

Wagner's end period at Carrow Road was particularly divisive though, meaning there wasn't a great amount of ill-feeling towards Knapper when the German was replaced by Hoff Thorup, who was given a three-year contract and the remit of a rebuilding project.

However, despite retaining the services of Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent, as well as several transfer moves which echoed the club's long-term vision, the Dane was dismissed in April after an end run of six defeats in eight games, before now-Luton Town boss, Jack Wilshere, oversaw matters on an interim basis.

Knapper's former Arsenal colleague wasn't given the job on a full-time basis despite receiving the backing of players and supporters, which led to the eventual appointment of Manning on a four-year deal.

Once again, the hometown man oversaw a major squad overhaul, which included the retention of Sargent despite Sainz' high-profile exit to FC Porto.

However, the warning signs were evident right from a 2-1 defeat to Millwall on August 8th, a game which Manning was never able to recover from.

Majority owner, Mark Attanasio and Knapper constantly reiterated their backing of Manning despite ever-growing pressure, particularly after a 3-1 defeat to Ipswich Town on October 5th, with Norwich's current predicament in 23rd down to a winless run ever since August 30th and an even dire period of eight successive home defeats in all competitions.

Despite the backing he received, time was up for Manning after Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Leicester City, although Knapper hasn't got away scot-free.

Norwich City supporters will intensify pressure on Ben Knapper amid fresh developments

Despite Manning's exit, it is expected that Knapper will remain in his post, despite the fact recent protests before, during and after the 2-0 defeat to Hull City on November 1st were mainly targeted towards the 38-year-old.

This means he will lead the hunt for the next man in the hotseat, with an array of names linked, such as Russell Martin, Will Still, Mark Fotheringham and Gary O'Neil, the latter of which was the subject of contact from the club, as exclusively revealed by Football League World on Sunday.

Given the two prior mishaps in the managerial market and City's current position, which would have been worsened had Sheffield Wednesday not been hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration, supporters may be even more frustrated that Attanasio trusts Knapper to find the right figure who is capable of steering the Canaries away from relegation before building towards a brighter future.