Middlesbrough & Sunderland rivals ponder 'important' appointment after sack decision

NORWICH CITY have sacked head coach David Wagner in the wake of their crushing Championship play-off semi-final defeat at Leeds.

The 52-year-old German had been in charge at Carrow Road since January 2023 and followed a 13th-place finish in his first campaign by leading the Canaries to sixth this season.

Norwich drew 0-0 at home to Leeds in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Sunday, only to unravel in a 4-0 thrashing at Elland Road on Thursday evening.

The club swiftly acted on the back of that heavy defeat, announcing on Friday morning they had “parted company” with Wagner.

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Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper said: “David has operated with class and dignity throughout his period as Norwich City head coach, but we now feel that the time is right for us to move in a different direction.

“We remain committed to progressing our football club, in both the short and long-term, working through a diligent and thorough strategy.

“The appointment of a new head coach is an important one. We will now work and continue our due diligence with the view of making an appointment in the near future.”

The decision to part ways with Wagner means there are now four Championship clubs on the lookout for a new boss, with Norwich joining Sunderland, Plymouth and Hull City.

Norwich confirmed assistant Christoph Buhler has followed former Huddersfield manager Wagner in leaving Carrow Road.

Leeds – managed by former Canaries boss Daniel Farke – are waiting to find out whether they will face Southampton or West Brom in next Sunday’s Championship play-off final.