Ben Knapper, Norwich City’s sporting director, has expressed his surprise at Angus Gunn's emotional farewell following the goalkeeper's departure from the club. This reaction comes after Gunn's heartfelt send-off during the Canaries' recent 4-2 victory against Cardiff City, which underscored his deep-rooted connection to Norwich as a lifelong supporter.
In a poignant moment, Gunn captained the team in what became his final appearance, leading the squad onto the pitch alongside his family. The Carrow Road crowd responded with an outpouring of affection, marking a significant farewell for a player who has been integral to the club. However, Gunn later raised concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding contract negotiations, describing his conversation with Knapper as a brief, “two-minute” interaction.
"I was a little bit surprised by it," Knapper remarked during a press briefing at the club’s training ground. "Ultimately, conversations of that nature don’t take hours and hours. It’s about delivering a clear position, and it was a really positive discussion. It was completely amicable."
Reflecting on Gunn's send-off, Knapper stated, "I think as a club, we gave him a fantastic send-off. From my perspective, it was a fitting tribute to someone who has contributed a lot. I was taken aback a little bit because Angus never expressed any of that to me. But I think we did a good job of seeing him off."
Knapper provided further context by revealing that discussions with Gunn’s agent had taken place at the beginning of the year. At that time, he communicated that the club could not extend a new contract. “We understood the risk that came with that,” he explained. “Angus could have agreed to go elsewhere at that point, and we were prepared to take that risk, with the understanding that we would keep in touch as the season progressed.”
Acknowledging Gunn's significant contribution to Norwich City, Knapper said, "He's a huge part of this club, well-liked and loved, both internally and, of course, by the fans. It was always a difficult decision, but one that we felt was the right one for us to try and move forward in a different way."
As for Gunn’s emotional final moments on the pitch, Knapper concluded, "I think it was a lovely moment when that subs board went up against Cardiff, and he could take the applause and adulation from the crowd. He deserved that. He’s been a huge part of the club, and he’ll always be welcome back."