Norwich City have confirmed the appointment of Jack Wilshere as interim manager for the final two matches of the season, following the dismissal of Johannes Hoff Thorup. This decision comes in the wake of a series of disappointing performances that have left the team languishing in 14th place in the Championship. Striker Josh Sargent did not mince his words, labelling the recent displays as "embarrassing."
The club announced the departure of Hoff Thorup and assistant Glen Riddersholm on Tuesday, a significant shift for a side that was once in contention for a play-off spot. The decision followed a particularly disheartening defeat to Millwall, prompting sporting director Ben Knapper to reassess the club's trajectory. Knapper remarked, "Whilst we made this appointment with a long-term focus and in line with our wider club strategy and direction, unfortunately recent results and performances have deemed it necessary for us to make a change." He further expressed gratitude towards Hoff Thorup and Riddersholm, stating, "They are both fantastic people who worked tirelessly to help improve and move our football club forward. We all wish the two of them the best in the next stage of their respective careers."
Norwich's decline has been stark; the team were positioned eighth in the league as recently as February. However, a dismal run of form, which has seen them secure just one win in their last 14 matches, has resulted in a significant drop down the table. Sargent's frustration was palpable following the Easter weekend's results, as he stated, “Embarrassing. That's it. I don't have much more to say. The fans are deservedly very upset. We had so many out here supporting us and travelling today, and it's just nowhere near good enough from us. It just comes down to doing basic things right."
Looking ahead, Norwich will face a challenging encounter against Middlesbrough, who are currently vying for a play-off spot, before hosting Cardiff City. The match against Cardiff will hold particular significance for Wilshere, as he will be up against his former Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsey, who is now in interim charge at Cardiff following the departure of Omer Riza.
Wilshere brings with him a degree of managerial experience, having previously led Arsenal's Under-18 side to the FA Youth Cup final in 2023. He joined Norwich's coaching staff in October 2024, working under Hoff Thorup's leadership.
The decision to part ways with Hoff Thorup has taken many fans by surprise, particularly in light of the team's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Millwall on Easter Monday. Thorup had signed a three-year contract in May last year, following the exit of David Wagner, and was initially viewed as a pivotal figure in Norwich's future. Knapper had previously described him as "the perfect fit for the next stage of our new and exciting journey," but the optimism surrounding his appointment has clearly diminished.
Thorup's tenure in English football has been fraught with challenges, marked by an opening-day loss to Oxford United and a series of inconsistent performances. Since early March, Norwich has accumulated the fewest points in the Championship, with only one victory in their last ten matches.