Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber has revealed the club expect to appoint a new head coach in time to take charge against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup next weekend. 

The need for a quick appointment was highlighted after yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Watford in the Championship and Webber said City have been working through a shortlist and expect to name Dean Smith’s successor by the end of the week. 

“We’ve been interviewing constantly since Dean left and I really hope we will be in a position before our next game against Blackburn that we will be introducing a new man in the dug-out for that game,” said Webber. 

“Come Thursday or Friday, I’d like to think the new man will be preparing the team for an important cup game. After that they will have a week lead up to their first league game against Preston.” 

David Wagner is currently the odds-on favourite with bookmakers given the success he had with Webber during their time at Huddersfield. 

But Webber insisted that whoever is appointed will need to be build a special connection with the City fanbase. 

“We are very clear on what that person needs to look like,” Webber told Sky Sports. “It’s got to be someone that can galvanise the fanbase as well - I’ve learned that myself. 

“I’ve been here for six years. I’ve had a great time here, a great fanbase with great numbers that turn up. But I probably didn’t appreciate quite how important that connection between the head coach and the fanbase until it wasn’t there. 

“I’d only known that with Daniel (Farke). We finished 14th in the first season but ultimately the fans wanted to believe in him because the fans had that connection. 

“It’s not about having a happy clapper that walks on to the pitch to keep the fans happy because that doesn’t work if there’s no substance behind his work. 

“We as a football club have to be aware that it’s important we get someone that really understands the community, the fanbase because it’s a little bit unique in that respect.”