Norwich City: Glen Riddersholm on Thorup, youth & experience

Brought in by a combination of Johannes Hoff Thorup and Ben Knapper, the new Canaries assistant head coach was always going to be defined by the same values their philosophy is built on.

Player development, trust in youth and possession-based football are at the forefront of what he's done throughout his career, a quest similar in ambition to his fellow Dane if slightly longer.

It's no wonder he praised the 35-year-old unreservedly as he sat down with the Pink Un for a wide-ranging conversation on his journey to Carrow Road and what the future holds.

"He's top class, to be honest," Riddersholm said of his new colleague. "The work he delivers is just on an unbelievably high level. He's really clear, there's no doubt in his mind about how he wants things.

"He will also hold onto things, he will not be one who will change when the storm is there and create insecurity around him. He just knows.

The Dane praised compatriot Johannes Hoff Thorup (left) (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd)

"Sometimes you need to find a balance or take a small step back before you can take three forward, but that's also why I'm there. We are a team, together with Narcis and Clem and Nick and all the other guys around us.

"But the work he delivers is excellent. I have been around, I have been watching the biggest clubs all over the world, and I've had the opportunity to look over the shoulders of many really great coaches, and he's really talented.

"He can really take big steps in the future and create an unbelievable career, I'm sure of that."

That trust in youth plays a big part in what supporters are hoping to see this season, after David Wagner's apparent reluctance to veer away from experience. 

Both Riddersholm and Thorup were youth coaches before working with senior players, and the former says he sees plenty of talented hopefuls on the fringes of City's senior setup.

It'll take time and hard work for them to find their best, however, as he was keen to warn.

Riddersholm (centre) says hard work is needed for players to reach their potential (Image: Martyn Haworth/Focus Images Ltd)

"I see potential," he continued. "I am always like that when I speak. Even though I've developed more than 100 internationals playing on the highest level, for me it's about hunger.

"It's not enough to have talent, it's not enough to be gifted. That's the basis of our daily work and our culture: never be satisfied. I don't like to work with players who say where they want to go, but don't do the daily work that it requires.

"Everyone can say what they want, but on the other side is 'what am I doing to get there?' The truth is that that best players are working the hardest. It's a little bit early [to define the quality of the young players], being here only for around 40 days.

"But we will try to make them understand how to be humble and confident at the same time. I don't like this hyping, I like when they produce performances on the highest level. Then we can sit here and I will gladly respond.

"I don't want to put any name up there and have expectations grow. Let the performances give us the answer."

Even though youth development does play a significant role at a club like Norwich, Riddersholm and Thorup won't abandon their strong core of older players.

Not only will they aid the blooding of academy players, the 52-year-old believes, they'll also help navigate the tricky terrain of the English second division.

"Of course, young players are important," he said. "Because you can sell them and then create a sustainable business. Then you can take steps all the time.

"We don't have that financial muscle that some of the clubs in the Premier League have, so we need to do it in a little bit of a different way. If we do what they do we will always be a step behind them.

"So if we want to actually compete with those clubs, we need to be a little bit different and play on the strengths we have, but also be visionary in some way.

"I also need to underline really that it's not only about young players. No young players can have success if they're not surrounded by established older players with experience, who take them under their arm with leadership and show them what it takes.

"If we need to be sustainable and be able to compete in a Championship that is brutal, then it's not only about young players. It's about the mix, and creating an environment where the young players can develop."