Norwich City

Norwich City have announced the departure of several first team players.

Defenders Ben Gibson, Dimitris Giannoulis, Sam McCallum and Danny Batth are all out of contract and will leave Carrow Road.

Scottish goalkeeper Jon McCracken will also leave the club, he joined the Canaries in 2016 as a 16-year-old.

Danish midfielder Jacob Sorensen has signed a new one year deal with the option of a further year.

23-year-old goalkeeper Archie Mair has also been given a new contract.

The full list of departing players is as follows:

Danny Batth

Ben Gibson

Dimitris Giannoulis

Sydney van Hooijdonk (returning to Bologna)

Sam McCallum

Jon McCracken

Norwich City striker Ashley Barnes has reacted to his side's defeat to Leeds United in the play-offs on his Instagram account.

Here's what he had to say in full:

"A devastating, disappointing night on Thursday evening for everyone.

"The highs of football wiped away very quickly! The achievement to reach the play-offs was a minimum in which we did but not being able to progress through with only ourselves to blame is a blow for everyone.

"Setbacks are what makes us stronger as individuals and as a group but the hunger to go again and challenge again next season is there more than ever!"

He continued: "I want to thank the boss (David Wagner) and Stuart Webber for bringing me to this amazing football club and to have the privilege to work with so many amazing people that work tirelessly behind the scenes in preparing and looking after us on a daily basis and knowing what this club means to them is why we love our job and do what we do 💛💚.

"Now time to rest and recover and see you all next season stronger than ever🐤"

Here's part two of BBC Norfolk's Chris Goreham and Rob Butler discussing a busy week for the Canaries.

The club will appoint a new head coach in the coming weeks.

BBC Norfolk's Chris Goreham and Rob Butler chat about David Wagner's departure from the Canaries.

This is part one of special content which has been recorded exclusively for the BBC Sport Norwich City page.

The League Managers Association has issued a statement on behalf of former Norwich City head coach David Wagner.

Here is that statement in full:

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish Norwich City Football Club the very best for the future and to thank Delia, Michael and Mark for their support during a very challenging season and a half.

“It was an exciting opportunity to return to English football and coach a club with such great history and people. I have enjoyed my time in Norfolk, getting to know the community and everyone who supports the club.

“When Christoph and I arrived, we were confident that we could help the club to challenge for promotion and whilst we are disappointed by the nature of the result against Leeds, we are also very proud of the hard work that everyone at Norwich City has put into the season to reach the play-off semi-finals in such a competitive league.

“Although I am disappointed to be leaving a club with so much potential, I respect that the club has decided to move in a different direction without Christoph and me.

“I would like to thank the players and staff who have performed so well in my time at Norwich City. The fans have also been an incredible support to the team and although we didn’t manage to achieve promotion this season, I hope that the club will return to the Premier League very soon.”

Wagner was sacked as City boss on Friday following defeat in the Championship play-off semi-final against Leeds United.

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich City legends Chris Sutton and Darren Eadie gave their opinons on the sacking of head coach David Wagner in a special episode of BBC Norfolk's Canary Call.

A host of Canary fans were also involved in the debate and offered their thoughts on who should be next in the Carrow Road hotseat.

You can listen to the full episode of Canary Call here.

Image source, Getty Images

Join the BBC Radio Norfolk sport team for a special Canary Call at 17:30 BST on Friday.

A chance for you to have your say on David Wagner's sacking and what comes next for the Canaries.

Join Chris Goreham, Rob Butler and Phil Daley on BBC Sounds and if you can't listen live, a podcast version will be available after broadcast.

What did you think of Norwich City's play-off defeat?

Image source, Getty Images

Norwich's season is over following defeat against Leeds United over two legs in the Championship play-off semi-final.

We want your views on the 4-0 reversal and the bigger picture at Carrow Road.

What went wrong for the Canaries?

What could head coach David Wagner have done differently on the night?

Should fans be proud of reaching the play-offs this season?

Is Wagner the man to take the club forward next season?

What changes would you like to see in the summer?

Get in touch here, we'd love to here from you.

David Fox's thoughts on Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City

The Canaries' season came to an end in devastating fashion following a 4-0 defeat at Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

The tie finished 4-0 to the Yorkshire side on aggregate, they will now face Southampton or West Brom in the play-off final at Wembley on Sunday 26 May.

Former City midfielder David Fox was BBC Norfolk's guest summariser, here are some of his full-time thoughts:

"It's a tough one to take.

"We all came here with such optimism, such hope. The performance in the first leg - OK, we (Norwich) probably didn't go for it enough - but we're in the tie, a two-legged affair, nil nil and plenty to play for."

He continued: "Everything you speak about before the game - you know what it's like to come to Elland Road. You know how hostile it can be, you know how influential the Leeds' fans can be and you can't give them a sniff.

"We (Norwich) played into their hands, we allowed them the early goal, we allowed them to settle into the game, to get their passing going.

"We just couldn't live with them and it's a really difficult thing to say, but the gulf in class was massive."

You can hear more from David Fox on Canary Call with Rob Butler - head to BBC Sounds here.

• Leeds United have won both of their last two home games against Norwich City in all competitions; only from 1962 to 1972 have they ever won three in a row at home to the Canaries

• The goalless draw in the first leg of this tie between Leeds United and Norwich City saw just 13 shots (7 Norwich, 6 Leeds) and 0.76 expected goals (0.51 Norwich, 0.25 Leeds). Only four Championship matches in 2023-24 (incl. play-offs) saw fewer shots, and only four had a lower total xG

• Leeds United are looking to progress to a Football League play-off final for a fourth time, and first since 2007-08 in League One. However, the Whites have been eliminated at the semi-final stage in both of their last two play-off participations (2008-09 in League One, 2018-19 in the Championship), with both occasions seeing them play their second leg at home

• In what is their third time in the Football League play-offs, Norwich are looking to reach the final for the third time, previously doing so in 2002 and 2015. Should they do so, they’ll be just the sixth team to reach the final in 100% of their appearances (min. 3 times)

• Leeds United have lost both of their last two home games, last losing more in a row at Elland Road in all competitions in March 2022 (4, all in the Premier League), and last doing so while competing outside of the top-flight in October 2017 (3 in a row)

• Norwich’s Josh Sargent has more goals (13) and goal involvements (14, 1 assist also) than any other player in the Championship in 2024, though has faced Leeds more often in English league without scoring than any other side (4 games, 302 minutes)

The Scrimmage discussed Norwich players with a point to prove in Thursday's crucial Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Elland Road (20:00 BST).

You can listen to the podcast version of the programme here.

Opinion: 'We await something extraordinary at Elland Road'

Gary Gowers, My Football Writer - Norwich City, external

Sunday wasn’t the day City fans had hoped for.

Despite club and supporters coming together to create a rocking Carrow Road, both outside and in, what transpired over the 95+ minutes was, if we’re honest, a little 'meh'.

We understand why it was 'meh' – as was the West Brom v Southampton game – but hoped, at least, for a goal to cheer given that we had all turned up in our yellow and green finery, and did our very best to recreate a local derby-type atmosphere.

Carrow Road felt ready to explode in a good way but was denied the opportunity by some wily work by our ex, Daniel Farke, and some pragmatism from our current head coach.

Some thought David Wagner’s approach a little too pragmatic, certainly in the second half, but let’s not forget his only point of reference for the play-offs is Huddersfield’s successful 2017 campaign. In said mini-campaign, the Terriers successfully drew their way to Wembley and then the Premier League with the help of a couple of penalty shoot-outs.

Seven years ago it may be but still it appears fresh in Wagner’s mind.

A goal in the first half an hour of Sunday’s first leg, when City were in command, may perhaps have shifted his perspective on how to get to Wembley, but with no goals forthcoming and energy levels visibly dropping, it was to his tried and trusted chapter on caution he turned.

In fairness to Wagner, City are still very much in the tie, albeit underdogs, while a more gung ho second half at Carrow Road may have worked against the Canaries. Still, there’s no escaping the gargantuan task ahead if they are to either muster a win at Elland Road or take it to penalties.

It’s hard to see past City’s extremely 'meh' away form and extremely terrible record against Leeds in the regular season. We just have to hope for one of those extraordinary second legs that often pop up from nowhere in play-off football and defy any type of logic.

We also have to hope that Josh Sargent and/or Ashley Barnes are fit to line up in West Yorkshire, as without them Wagner’s options look much more limited.

But, we also have to believe.

Whatever our opinion of Wagner, the owners, or some players, the financial breathing space afforded to clubs who get to briefly sample the refined air of the Premier League renders this second leg almost a must-win. Certainly so if we wish to see the likes of Sara, Sargent and Rowe pull on the yellow shirt ever again.

Finally, with regards to an incident that occurred outside Carrow Road on Sunday, where a Leeds fan suffered an injury - I really hope cool heads prevail on Thursday night both on and off the pitch.

As massive as it feels right now, it is just a football match.

OTBC.

Leeds United broadcaster Connor McGilligan was special guest on this week's Scrimmage podcast.

He spoke about the team's poor record in the play-offs.

Norwich City face Leeds in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final at Elland Road on Thursday (20:00 BST). The first leg finished 0-0.

You can listen to this week's Scrimmage on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

Opinion: 'In search of a second leg second wind'

Steve Sanders, @ncfcnumbers, external

If, as Sky would have it, ‘the play-offs always deliver drama’, then Sunday’s stalemate was the tedious footballing equivalent of an episode of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'.

Leeds United and Norwich City played out a juiceless affair at Carrow Road, managing a total xG of 0.8 between them. The previous lowest in a Norwich game this season was their 1-0 win over Ipswich at 1.3.

So why so drab? The fact both teams were scrabbling around for some kind of form and rhythm approaching this was a contributor, as was Leeds’ contentedness with a point, knowing that a winner-takes-all game at Elland Road gives them a healthy chance of getting to Wembley.

But so too was the increasing issue of Norwich City’s presence as a second half force. The Canaries have now scored just two second half goals in their last eight Championship matches – and, if we’re being fair, then one of those (Borja Sainz v Bristol City) ought to have been chalked off for offside. Gabriel Sara’s goal at Preston is the only one in those eight games to come after the hour mark.

The problem goes deeper than simply finding the net too. In their last 12 fixtures, Wagner’s men have had 37 shots on target in the first half of games, in the second half, that number reduces to 15. In their last fixtures, only Shane Duffy has had a Norwich City shot on target after half-time.

This collective running out of attacking gas could be put down to the shortcomings of the tactics or the playing squad – and it’s certainly true that David Wagner’s blueprint for this Norwich City team is to go hard early on. Daniel Farke’s all-conquering 2018/19 team scored 14 more goals than this Norwich City vintage, but the 2023/24 group registered four more (19 v 15) in the first quarter of games. Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea have all been blown away in recent first half spells by the Canaries – but none of them were ultimately beaten.

This ‘live fast, die young (or at least around the hour mark)’ approach is hampered by an ever thinning squad. Continuity has been a huge reason for the good form that has kept Norwich City’s season going – nine of Sunday’s XI have started the last ten fixtures, and six of those have started the previous 20 in the league.

But is a physically demanding playing style, wearying starting XI and a bench forlorn of attacking options (of their attacking subs on Sunday, only Christian Fassnacht had started a league game in English football) all contributing to a side running out of puff before the end of games?

This Norwich City team will have at least one more chance to show that it isn’t – in a game that could, chillingly, extend by an extra 30 minutes. Whether or not they get a further opportunity at Wembley may well come down to finding a second leg second half second wind.

Image source, PA Media

An early goal in the second leg of their semi-final tie with Norwich could be "key" to Leeds United's chances of progressing to the Championship play-off final.

Daniel Farke's side drew the first leg 0-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday and host the Canaries on Thursday, with the winners heading to Wembley to compete for a place in the Premier League next season.

"Leeds can absolutely win the second leg comfortably," said presenter Jonny Buchan on BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

"I didn't think Norwich were a very good side particularly - I didn't think Leeds were a very good side particularly - but I think Leeds went there with a different mentality to Norwich.

"The big positive was Norwich had to come out of the traps in that game, they had to start well and they did start better in the first 15-20 minutes, but they still didn't create a huge goalscoring opportunity.

"The difference on Thursday is Leeds will be expected to come out like that, but Norwich will not be expected to come out like that. If Leeds get that early goal, that is going to be key. If it's 35 minutes in and Norwich have ridden that storm, that's when things start to change in terms of how much Norwich will believe they can win.

"Look at [Norwich boss] David Wagner - he has got promoted through the Championship play-offs before [with Huddersfield in 2017] and he did without scoring goals and he did it on penalty shootouts. He knows how to set a team up to get to a penalty shootout in the second leg of the play-offs."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Norwich City head to Leeds United on Thursday knowing the Championship play-off semi-final tie could go to penalties.

Rob Butler and Chris Reeve talked about who they fancied to step up to send the Canaries to Wembley.

You can listen to the full episode of The Scrimmage on BBC Sounds here.

Image source, Getty Images

Your views on Norwich City's Wembley hopes

Here are some of your thoughts on the Canaries' 0-0 draw with Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg. You've also been looking ahead to Thursday's second leg:

Sam - A tight game as to be expected with two teams not in good form. I did think we should have pushed a bit more being the home team and our away form is not the best. However, it’s now a straight shootout, so let’s see. Leeds have to be slight favourites though. OTBC.

Roger - Well, what can you say - both teams played not to lose so we'll just have to see which team wants it more. It'll be down to the home team to play on the front foot because they are the home team, but that might suit Norwich and the way they play.

Optimist Personified of Norfolk - Both sides just didn't want to concede so it was a very difficult game for the spectators. I think we will win on Thursday and go on to beat Southampton, get promoted, win the Premier League and play in Europe and win all the cups. 😀

Paul - Fantastic atmosphere created both outside and in the ground. Excellent first half but didn’t take our chances. Heat and fitness levels showed in the second half. We can do this in the second leg but may need to risk Barnes at some point to increase attacking options. OTBC.

Leif - My heart says yes, we can do it, but it will be very tight and it won't be a goal fest. One goal in it, a bit of Sara magic from distance in the 86th minute! My head though says no. Leeds are a quality side and our old manager has got them playing some excellent attacking football. The Elland Road crowd will be their 12th man. 1-0 Leeds unfortunately!

'Both managers were too scared to grab the bull by the horns'

BBC Norfolk's Scrimmage co-host Chris Reeve gives his first reaction to the Canaries 0-0 draw with Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

Join Chris and Rob Butler for The Scrimmage podcast, available with BBC Sounds on Monday from 19:30 BST.