Norwich next manager: Ex-Portsmouth ace now odds-on favourite for Carrow Road job
Norwich City’s search for a new manager is set to continue as the Canaries look to bring in a replacement in time to build for next season.
Norwich parted company with former manager Johannes Hoff Thorup after an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign, which has seen them nowhere near the hunt for promotion.
The Canaries are currently sat 14th in the table heading into the final day of the season, with 12th being the highest position they can mathematically finish.
It’s a far cry from where the club expects to be, and it’s clear that whoever takes on the vacant position will have a lot of work to do in the summer to bridge that gap.
There are various names rumored and linked with the role, but one name has now emerged as the clear favourite.
Norwich have identified Gary O’Neil as a target
According to Oddschecker, former Portsmouth midfielder Gary O’Neil is the favourite to take on the position and return to management.
O’Neil was a popular figure at Fratton Park, but he did also represent Norwich as a player between 2014 and 2016, which would likely make him a popular appointment at Carrow Road.
O’Neil was part of the 2015 squad that gained promotion to the Premier League under Alex Neil, and that’s something that the club will be expecting any new manager to do next season.
| Championship table | Games Played | Won | Lost | Points |
| 14. Norwich | 45 | 13 | 17 | 54 |
The former Pompey star has been out of work since leaving Wolves in December 2024, and the 41-year-old has plenty of experience when it comes to management due to his time with Bournemouth.
O’Neil successfully kept Bournemouth out of the relegation zone and in the Premier League during that spell, which led to him getting plenty of praise from fans and pundits alike.
Portsmouth are hoping for stability with John Mousinho
Meanwhile at Fratton Park, Portsmouth fans are hoping to see no managerial changes taking place this season due to the popularity of John Mousinho.
There has been some fear growing recently that he could be tempted by a move to a new club, as he has certainly proven his qualities during his time in charge of the south coast outfit.
Portsmouth supporters have urged Eric Eisner to financially back Mousinho this summer, as they want to see where he can take the club if he has that opportunity.