Norwich City are poised to announce Philippe Clement as their new head coach, with the former manager of Rangers, Monaco, and Club Brugge emerging as the frontrunner to succeed Liam Manning. According to reports from The Pink'un, an official confirmation is imminent. Read more about O'Neil Excluded as Norwich City Seek New Head Coach.
Clement, 51, has been identified as the club’s preferred candidate following a thorough selection process that saw Norwich move away from considering Gary O’Neil and Jon Dahl Tomasson. Key discussions, including in-person meetings in London and conversations with majority shareholder Mark Attanasio, have paved the way for Clement's anticipated appointment. Read more about Norwich City Target New Head Coach as Relegation Looms.
The Belgian coach is expected to take charge immediately, overseeing training sessions ahead of Norwich’s Championship fixture against Birmingham City this Saturday. His initial focus will be on familiarising himself with the squad and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead in a demanding environment.
Clement arrives at Carrow Road with a strong pedigree in European football, having managed in elite leagues such as the Champions League and Ligue 1. His managerial career boasts significant tenures at Club Brugge, Monaco, and Genk, where he has built a reputation for success. With three Belgian league titles and a Scottish League Cup to his name, Clement has maintained an impressive win rate of 50% or higher across his last four managerial roles.
His coaching journey began with Club Brugge's U21 side, before he was promoted to assistant head coach during the 2012/13 season under Michel Preud'homme. Clement’s first head coach role came at Waasland-Beveren, which he held for five months before moving to Genk in December 2017. At Genk, he not only led the team to a cup final but also secured their inaugural Pro League title.
Returning to Club Brugge as manager, Clement achieved back-to-back league titles and the Belgian Super Cup, which led to his appointment at Monaco in January 2022. His tenure in France started with a bang, as he guided Monaco to nine consecutive victories, lifting them to third in Ligue 1. However, a penalty shootout loss in the Coupe de France semi-finals and an exit from the Europa League's last 16 marred his time there, culminating in a sixth-place finish and his departure in June 2023.
Most recently, Clement took over at Rangers in October 2023, succeeding Michael Beale. In his first season, he secured the Scottish League Cup and led the team on a 16-match unbeaten streak. Despite these achievements, he faced difficulties in the title race against Celtic, which ultimately led to his dismissal in February of this year.
As Norwich City prepare for Clement's arrival, there is a palpable sense of anticipation among supporters and stakeholders alike. His extensive managerial experience could be the catalyst needed to propel the Canaries back to the top tier of English football.