Norwich City

Image source, BBC Radio Norfolk

Norwich City travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday (15:00 BST) with Jack Wilshere in the dugout as caretaker manager after the club sacked Johannes Hoff Thorup on Tuesday.

He will be in charge this weekend as well as for the Carrow Road match with Cardiff on the final day of the season.

Before the game, Wilshere has been speaking to the media and here are some of the key points:

• Wilshere says the job this week has been to improve the mood around the training ground - and it has gone well.

• He did attend his golf day yesterday and will run the London Marathon on Sunday for causes close to his heart.

• On Thorup's sacking - Wilshere says he really enjoyed his time with Johannes and believed in the process they were working on.

• "I'll let the dust settle and speak to Johannes because I've learnt a lot from him."

• Wilshere says he did not even have to think about taking the caretaker job when it was offered to him.

• Wilshere was called by Ben Knapper on Tuesday and asked to take charge. They spoke about the team and what is expected.

• Does he want the job? "I understand you're going to ask that question. I made the decision to come here and leave Arsenal - I thought that was an important part of my journey in coaching. I feel like I am ready to be a head coach at this level and make an impact, but I know the next two games are important."

• "It's important for me to send a message that this is not about me. My job is to lift the players for the next two games and not make it about me.

You can listen to full live coverage of Norwich City at Middlesbrough with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB, Saturday from 14:00 BST.

Middlesbrough are three points short of the Championship play-off places after a run of three defeats from their past four games.

Norwich City sacked boss Johannes Hoff Thorup on Tuesday having dropped to 14th in the table.

• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their past six league games against Norwich City (W4 D2), after losing five in a row against them.

• Norwich City have lost their past two away games against Middlesbrough in the Championship, while they last lost three in a row away to them in league competition in October 1980.

• Middlesbrough have won four of their past five home league matches (L1), with all four of those victories coming by a one-goal margin. Indeed, their last one was a 2-1 victory, with Tommy Conway scoring the winner in the 93rd minute.

• Norwich City have lost their past three league matches, and could lose four in a row in the Championship for the first time since November 2023, under David Wagner.

• Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz has both created the most chances (82) and had the most shots (115) of any player in the Championship this season.

"It just seems so knee jerk. Given the situation they are both in, just at least maybe wait until the end of the season and have a bit of planning and have the conversations."

While Omar Riza's exit from Cardiff City came as no real surprise, what about the other two of the Championship's most recent managerial departures?

West Bromwich Albion sacked Tony Mowbray after a 3-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Derby County saw their chances of the play-offs become increasingly remote, while Norwich City removed Johannes Hoff Thorup from his post following a run of poor form.

The 72+ podcast team sit down to discuss all three managerial departures and give their thoughts on whether the clubs made the right decision in starting afresh before the season concludes in less than two weeks.

Listen to the full episode and more on the Football Daily podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City "failed to hold their nerve" by sacking head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, according to former Canaries striker Chris Sutton.

The Dane was relieved of his duties on Tuesday following a run of six defeats from their past eight games and just one win.

"I'm really surprised - I didn't see it coming because like most fans I thought Johannes was in for a bit of a long haul and this season was one of bedding-in and it was part of the long-term strategy of going away from signing experienced players and looking at younger ones," Sutton told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"His skill-set was supposed to be developing young players and Norwich spent pretty big in the summer on young players so the decision to sack him right now doesn't add up."

Norwich are in their third season back in the Championship following relegation from the Premier League in 2022 but are 13 points short of the play-off places with only two games remaining.

"I didn't expect Norwich to finish in a play-off position this season and I don't think many fans did - recent results haven't been good but to sack him seems odd," added Sutton.

"What's the plan? Is it about a club developing young players or are we going to see a heavy summer of transfer activity?

"In some ways I'm really disappointed the club have failed to hold their nerve with Johannes and stick to the plan."

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier we asked what you made of Norwich's decision to part company with Johannes Hoff Thorup.

Here are a selection of your responses:

Simon: I'm surprised the decision has been made now, but he has looked increasingly lost for answers over the last few weeks. The players have definitely let him down to a large degree, but it did start to feel like he was going to struggle to turn things around. Who next? Who knows!

Andrew: Nice guy but not a Championship-level manager. His team selection and substitution choices were naïve at best. Questions have to be asked about Knapper too.

Darren: Correct decision. This possession football that leads to nothing other than mistakes we are too often punished for has not gone down well with the supporters. His reluctance to change has led to him losing the faith of the fans and now the board.

Shane: An idiotic decision, we have lost a great young manager who was building the team long-term. Things have gone wrong since Jack Wilshere joined. We need a defensive coach to balance our attack, we have conceded too many easy goals and Jack and the coaches need to be responsible for that, not the manager.

Leigh: Always the manager but never the players. Again if he goes then some of the players need to as well. Maybe Farke will come back when Leeds sack him for not being top in September. Worried we have become a club that sacks managers rather than sorting out the the roots. Fancy Mark Robins?

Tyler: While in the season we looked like we could play attractive football and could be heading in the right direction with JHT, he just lacked a plan b and also none of the players looked like they could win a second ball so change was definitely needed. He was out of his depth

Chris M: JHT had some nice ideas on how football should be played, however he was unable to coach and motivate what is a good squad into achieving those ideas. In the end he had to go.

Ian: I agree that Thorup should get the sack but Ben Knapper is most culpable for this mess and should go too. Thorup not up to the job and equally Knapper's recruitment has been woeful. Russell Martin, Gary O'Neil - hopefully stick with a young manager, one with actual experience.

Pete L: I would have left Thorup in charge at least until September. Having said that, he seemed to have no good answers as to why the Canaries' form has plummeted since January so I can understand why Norwich had to sack him.

Steve M: Correct decision, however, the club must go further to reset for next season - remove players who have influence but seemingly negative, like Duffy. Allow players who want to leave to go, Nunez and Sainz, and battle to keep players who will be hard to replace, Sargent. Its a big summer ahead for Knapper, ultimately it will be him brought into question if next season doesn't improve.

Matt B: Weird one to say the least. Results have definitely been disappointing, particularly in the last couple of months and, without a doubt, a season to forget. With that being said, it was always going to be a difficult season with the amount of transition on and off the pitch (new owners, new sporting director, new manager, huge squad overhaul, etc). I said from the start of the season Norwich would finish mid-table. Personally, I'd have started next season with JHT and re-evaluated at Christmas before making the stick or twist decision.

Olli: Can't help but feel slightly sorry for Thorup. As soon as the playoffs were out of sight, there were a number of key players who have clearly departed early for their summer holidays. He's a nice guy and you could see a world in which he got a couple of months after the summer with a clear out to get the players in he wants. But ultimate the results speak for themselves... With players of the quality of Sargent, Sainz, and Nunez in the side, 14th and one win in 10 isn't good enough. I was at both Pompey and Millwall, and witnessed some of the worst defending I've seen from a Norwich side. Hopefully the club have a plan for who comes next otherwise it's bizarre timing...

David C: Unfortunately he had to go. That was some of the worst football we have played in years and we're just far too easy to score against week in, week out.

Matt: We are currently in a worse place than last season and that cost the previous manager his job. Sad to see him go as at times we played good football. I think a few of the players should take a hard look at their current form, especially the back line.

Former Norwich City striker Iwan Roberts believes failure to resolve defensive frailties is a big reason for Johannes Hoff Thorup's downfall as head coach.

"I watched the first half of the Norwich-Portsmouth game (on Friday) and made a tongue-in-cheek comment to my son after the game, I said 'that's a sackable offence', conceding five goals against a team that had scored seven in their previous 12 games," he told BBC Radio Norfolk's Canary Call.

"I wasn't serious in what I said but I was worried about him after that horrendous defeat.

"Then going down to Millwall yesterday and losing that one in the manner that they did, set-pieces have been an Achilles heel all season, and they conceded another two yesterday.

"What is it now? One point from their last five, four points from their last eight games, two wins in the last 14. I am surprised the decision has been made with two games to go but any manager with those kind of numbers going against him will be looking over his shoulder."

Wales international Roberts, who played almost 280 league games for Norwich between 1997 and 2004, said he understood why the club had made a change of head coach when they parted company with David Wagner following last season's play-off defeat by Leeds.

"They wanted to go in a certain direction and I can understand that, they wanted to give younger players an opportunity," he added.

"The job of a head coach and his staff is to improve these youngsters and there's not many that have improved that much over the last six or seven months."

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich have begun the search for a new manager after Johannes Hoff Thorup was relieved of his duties on Tuesday morning.

The Dane was appointed last May to replace David Wagner, who was sacked following the Canaries' Championship play-off semi-final defeat by Leeds.

Monday's 3-1 defeat at Millwall was a third straight loss for City, who have taken one point from their past five games and won only one of their past 10 matches, a run in which they claimed just six points to slip to 14th.

Only leaders Leeds have scored more than Norwich's 67 goals in 44 games this season, but their 66 goals conceded is worse than all but Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and bottom two Cardiff and Plymouth.

Jack Wilshere has been placed in interim charge for City's final two Championship games, at Middlesbrough on Saturday before they finish the season at home to Cardiff on 3 May, pitting the former Arsenal midfielder against ex-team-mate Aaron Ramsey on the touchline.

It's time to have your say on the news...

• Do you agree with the decision to part ways with the Dane?

• Where do you think it went wrong for him at Carrow Road?

• Who would you like to see take over at the helm?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup believes his side have to "avoid" making "critical" fouls in order to end their poor run of form.

The Canaries suffered their third straight defeat on Monday with a 3-1 loss at Millwall following their 5-3 home humbling by Portsmouth on Friday.

"I think I got a good six or seven minutes," Thorup told BBC Radio Norfolk after the match.

"That's probably me being a little bit tough on the guys but I also think it was a great response to start the game.

"I think we started well and then the first time we lost the ball they run down and score which is something that we've seen before but I think the response after that was also okay.

"We have to avoid making fouls in critical areas but it seems like we keep on doing it."

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup spoke to BBC Radio Norfolk after his side's 5-3 defeat at home to Portsmouth:

"Based on the game, it is fair we didn't win it. There were many things defensively we didn't get right.

"It comes down to preparation and being ready for what your opponent brings to a game and we didn't match that at all.

"I had the feeling that every time they brought the ball forward it could be a chance or a goal against.

"We have to look at that; it is definitely a weakness. It is simple situations we struggle to deal with.

"I hate when you have to talk about desire in a football player but I think there was a difference in that today. Portsmouth had more at stake and was willing to throw their bodies in front of the ball.

"I don't think we matched them and that was one of the messages at half time. It seemed like the simple things were difficult today."

With Norwich already looking ahead to next season, according to midfielder Anis Ben Slimane, Portsmouth might fancy their chances of taking advantage of side with little to play for over the next four games as Pompey try to seal their place in the Championship for next term.

Four points clear of trouble, maybe one more win will do it - that's certainly the view of BBC Radio Solent's Andrew Moon on the latest edition of the Who Needs Mourinho? podcast.

Here are the stats ahead of their Good Friday game (15:00 BST).

• Norwich City have won only three of their past 12 Football League games against Portsmouth (D5 L4), though are unbeaten in their last two meetings (W1 D1).

• After beating Norwich 2-0 in December 2010, Portsmouth could win successive away league games against the Canaries for the first time since September 1968.

• Norwich are unbeaten in their past four league games on Good Friday (W2 D2), winning each of their last two against Blackburn in 2023 (2-0) and Plymouth in 2024 (2-1).

• Portsmouth are unbeaten in their past nine league games on Good Friday (W5 D4), though did lose their last such game in the second tier 3-0 at Ipswich in 2003.

• Norwich's Josh Sargent (10 goals) and Portsmouth's Josh Murphy (10 – three goals, seven assists), are two of the four players to have 10+ goal involvements in the Championship in 2025.

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk Canary Call presenter

Norwich host Portsmouth on Friday (15:00 BST) and while it is still mathematically possible that the Canaries could make the play-offs or be relegated, this will feel like a true end-of-season game for supporters.

Pompey have plenty to play for though, they will be looking for the points to secure their place in the Championship next season.

Ahead of the game, City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has been speaking to the media and here are some of the key points:

• On-loan Manchester City defender Callum Doyle is fit and should be on the bench. Doyle has been out since late March with a calf injury.

• Forward Ante Crnac will miss Friday's game and could be out for Monday's trip to Millwall too. He was absent for the defeat at Burnley.

• Czech winger Matej Jurasek could make his return at Millwall.

• Onel Hernadez is back in the squad after missing the past two games after being suspended by the club for a misuse of social media.

• On Portsmouth, the Canaries boss said: "They will try to slow the game down in moments but they have another side where they are quite aggressive. We have to be clean in our passing game."

You can listen to full live coverage of Norwich City versus Portsmouth with BBC Radio Norfolk on FM and DAB.

Chris Goreham and Rob Butler will be live from Carrow Road at 14:00 BST on Friday.

Image source, Matt Usher, NCFC

Norwich City's young midfielder Elliot Myles has signed a new deal with the club until the summer of 2028, with the option of a further year.

The 18-year-old has made four appearances in all competitions for the Canaries this season, including his debut as a substitute in a Carabao Cup win over Stevenage in mid-August.

He also came on from the bench in Championship games at Sheffield United, Leeds and Burnley this year.

"I'm buzzing about this, being able to stay here for longer because the opportunities I've been given this season is something I can't complain about and something I can't take for granted," Myles told the club website, external.

Myles has featured for Norwich's under-21s and under-18s this season, as well as the Wales Under-19 side.

"Elliot has been progressing really well over recent months and he's a player we're delighted to secure long-term," said Norwich's sporting director Ben Knapper.

"He has big potential, with so much natural ability to produce high-end actions. If he can continue to develop the other aspects of his game, which he is everyday, then he can play at a very high level.

"We're all looking forward to continuing to help him on his journey and are excited to develop and push him further."

Midfielder Jacob Wright says he is "hopeful" of remaining at Norwich City to help the club return to the Premier League next season.

The 19-year-old joined on loan from Manchester City in February with an option for the Canaries to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Boss Johannes Hoff Thorup said last week that Norwich were in a "strong position" to sign Wright, who has also previously indicated his desire to move to Carrow Road permanently.

When asked if joining Norwich could be a "benefit" to help him play regularly, Wright told BBC Radio Norfolk's The Scrimmage: "That's kind of the reason behind the move in the first place.

"It's just the fact that I felt I was ready to play first team football and I wanted to come and test myself in the Championship.

"It's a great league, a very tough league and I just want to be playing at the end of the day, so... hopefully I'll be here."

Wright said he was "happy" about Thorup's comments around his potential transfer and would "100%" want to be involved in a push for promotion.

"Obviously I don't know the club's scenario, what the club are thinking but from my point of view, I'm happy that they want to continue this journey," he added.

"I think the goal even before I came here was we want to get Norwich back to the Premier League where they should be and hopefully I can play a part in that."

Listen to Jacob Wright's full interview on the latest episode of The Scrimmage podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Norwich City midfielder Anis Ben Slimane says work towards finishing in a top-six spot in the Championship next season "starts now".

A run of just two wins in the past 12 games has seen the Canaries' hopes of reaching the play-offs in this campaign drift away.

A 2-1 defeat by Burnley on Friday left Johannes Hoff Thorup's side nine points off sixth with only 12 points to play for, meaning it is now almost mathematically impossible.

"We met a team that was better than us and, hopefully, we can learn from them for the next four games and take that with us to finish off the season really well to be ready for next season because our ambition is definitely to be in the top six," Slimane told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"Every player has pride. It's not about 'oh, we didn't make it to the top six, now we have nothing to play for really'.

"No, we've got fans travelling and they come to support us and we have to show them that even though we can't give them top six, we will still work really hard to get three points and make them happy.

"As a football player, you always have to be ready for the next task and right now it's maybe hard and looks a bit dark.

"But we need to take the positive things from this season and finish off the season really well with the last four games.

"We have an ambition to be a top team in this league and that starts from now."

Norwich host relegation-threatened Portsmouth on Good Friday, 18 April, before a trip to face play-off chasing Millwall on Easter Monday, 21 April.

Listen to Anis Ben Slimane's full interview on BBC Sounds.