Norwich City have appointed Philippe Clement as their new head coach on a three-year contract, ending a month-long search for a permanent successor to David Wagner. The 51-year-old Belgian, who departed Rangers in May after 19 months in charge, will take over immediately and be in the dugout for Saturday’s Championship fixture against Bristol City at Carrow Road.
The appointment marks a significant statement of intent from sporting director Ben Knapper and the club’s majority shareholders, who had been conducting an exhaustive recruitment process since Wagner’s dismissal following the playoff semi-final defeat to Leeds United. Clement emerged as the clear frontrunner in the final week, seeing off competition from several high-profile candidates, including Carlos Carvalhal and the highly regarded Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand.
Clement arrives with a strong pedigree in British football. During his time at Ibrox he won the Scottish League Cup in his first season and led Rangers to the Europa League knockout stages, while consistently challenging Celtic in the Premiership. His 63.5% win percentage north of the border remains one of the highest in the club’s recent history, though his tenure ended amid frustration after a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign and growing supporter unrest.
Speaking at his unveiling at Colney Training Centre this afternoon, Clement said he was “honoured and excited” by the opportunity. “Norwich City is a big club with big ambitions,” he stated. “I have followed the Championship for many years; it is one of the most competitive leagues in world football. The squad here has quality, character and hunger. My job is to bring structure, intensity and a clear identity so we can achieve promotion at the first attempt.”
Knapper, who has now made his first major managerial appointment since taking the role in November 2023, believes Clement is the ideal fit. “Philippe’s track record speaks for itself,” the sporting director said. “He has won trophies, developed players, and shown he can handle pressure in demanding environments. He plays proactive, attacking football but with a strong defensive organisation—exactly the balance we need in this division.”
The deal is understood to include significant performance-related bonuses and a clear remit to return Norwich to the Premier League within two seasons. Sources close to the negotiations say Clement was particularly attracted by the long-term vision presented by Knapper and American owners Mark Attanasio and Michael Foulger, as well as the quality of the playing squad and the club’s Category One academy.
Clement will bring trusted lieutenants Andreas Hinkel and Stephan Van der Heyden from his Rangers staff, while goalkeeping coach Roy Henderson is also expected to follow from Glasgow. Long-serving Norwich assistants Steve Weaver and Allan Russell are likely to remain part of the first-team set-up in adjusted roles.
Player reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Captain Kenny McLean, who worked under Clement at Club Brugge earlier in their respective careers, described the appointment as “a real coup.” Midfielder Gabriel Sara told club media he is looking forward to “a new style and new ideas,” while Josh Sargent, currently the Championship’s top scorer with ten goals, welcomed a manager known for getting the best out of attacking players.
Clement’s tactical approach is expected to shift Norwich away from the possession-heavy style favoured under Wagner and towards a higher-pressing, more vertical game. At Rangers he typically operated with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, placing emphasis on quick transitions and exploiting wide areas—attributes that should suit the pace of Sargent, Jonathan Rowe and on-loan Arsenal winger Marquinhos.
The Belgian’s arrival also coincides with a crucial phase of the season. Norwich currently sit ninth in the table, six points off the automatic promotion places with a game in hand. They have won only two of their last eight league matches under caretaker Narcis Pelach, a run that had threatened to derail their campaign.
Off the pitch, season-ticket sales have already surpassed 21,000 and the club expects a bumper crowd against Bristol City as supporters get their first glimpse of the new era. The feel-good factor has been further boosted by the news that Attanasio’s Milwaukee Brewers group have now completed the purchase of additional shares, taking their stake to 85% and providing increased financial clarity.
For Clement personally, the move represents an opportunity to rebuild his reputation in the UK after the acrimonious end to his Rangers spell. He leaves Scotland with one trophy and a reputation as an engaging, demanding coach who connects well with players but who can also be uncompromising in his methods. Those traits will be tested immediately in a Championship renowned for its physicality and relentless schedule.
Early indications are that he has the full backing of the dressing room and board alike. “We needed a winner,” one senior club source said this evening. “Philippe has won everywhere he’s been—Genk, Club Brugge, Monaco, Rangers. That mentality is exactly what this group requires.”
Norwich’s last permanent managerial appointment from overseas—Daniel Farke in 2017—proved transformative, delivering two Championship titles in three seasons. The club will hope lightning strikes twice.
As Carrow Road prepares to welcome its fifth head coach in four years, there is genuine optimism that the Clement era can be the one that finally ends the cycle of playoff heartache and yo-yo existence between divisions.
The hard work starts now. For Philippe Clement and Norwich City, the target could not be clearer: Premier League football in May 2027 at the latest—and ideally twelve months sooner.