Norwich City weighing up shock Johannes Hoff Thorup exit plan | OneFootball

Norwich City are weighing up the future of Johannes Hoff Thorup as we approach the end of the season.

Norwich City are considering replacing manager Johannes Hoff Thorup with his fellow first-team coach, Jack Wilshere.

That's according to a report from Football Insider on Good Friday, which states that the Canaries are considering the former Arsenal player as their next manager, should they sack the Dane.

Thorup was appointed last summer as a replacement for David Wagner after the team’s play-off semi-final defeat to Leeds United.

However, the team have gone backwards over the last 12 months, and have been unable to sustain a promotion push into the final weeks of the campaign.

Norwich City eye Jack Wilshere appointment as potential Johannes Hoff Thorup replacement

It is believed that Wilshere has emerged as a potential candidate to become the next Norwich boss amid some uncertainty over Thorup’s future.

It’s understood that the 36-year-old is under "big pressure" to maintain his position at Carrow Road following a disappointing campaign.

Wilshere joined the Canaries as a coach in October last year, and could now be in line to take over the first-team squad should Thorup depart.

If Norwich appointed him to replace Thorup, it would mark his first steps into senior management, with the former England international having previously worked at his old club Arsenal with the Under-18 team between July 2022-October 2024 before joining the Norfolk outfit.

Norwich City's sporting director Ben Knapper also would’ve worked closely with Wilshere during their time together with the London outfit, with the Norwich chief having previously occupied loan manager and analyst roles with the Gunners.

Thorup hasn't enjoyed the debut Norwich City season he would've hoped for

Thorup took on the role of Norwich manager last summer, and was tasked with going one better than Wagner from last season and taking them to the Premier League.

However, the Canaries have struggled to separate themselves from a mid-table position in the Championship this season, in what has been a frustrating campaign at Carrow Road.

The club finished sixth in the table under Wagner last season, but they will fall short of a play-off place under Thorup, with the aim between now and the end of the season being to achieve a top half finish.

But with time running out, Norwich are now at risk of suffering their worst Championship finish since the 2017/18 season, in which they finished 14th.

Jack Wilshere appointment would be risky for Norwich City

Wilshere has no experience as a first team manager, so it would be quite the risk to appoint him as Thorup’s replacement.

However, it comes as no surprise given the connection with Knapper, and this was potentially always the long-term plan once he was brought in as a coach.

Thorup has not been able to deliver a strong enough season with Norwich, even when taking into account the players lost over the summer, such as Jonathan Rowe and Gabriel Sara respectively.

Therefore, whilst there is an argument for giving him another chance next season, it wouldn’t be too harsh to let him go either.