Stuart Webber has outlined the role he played in the process that led to Ben Knapper being appointed as his Norwich City successor. 

Knapper accelerated his arrival at Norwich in November amid a poor run of Championship form, with Webber signing off as sporting director after their 3-2 victory over Cardiff in South Wales. 

Webber ended a seven year spell in Norfolk after handing his notice in last year, kickstarting a 12-month notice period and the hunt for his successor. 

In a sporting director panel alongside Manchester United linked Dan Ashworth and Brentford's Phil Giles for Training Ground Guru, Webber revealed his role in City's search for his replacement - that led them to hiring Knapper. 

"I handed my notice in on March 29 and had a year in my contract that I had to give. It was agreed that they wanted me to be part of the process, but we then had to work out how much of that process because I didn't feel it was right for me to pick my successor. I don't think that is my job.

"I can recommend, I can give my opinion as much or as little as they want but I didn't feel like it was my job to go 'get him'," Webber told the TGG sporting director panel.

"They, as an organisation, have to decide which direction they want to take this in. I recommended a few people and they then used an outside recruitment firm where they put some of those in that recruitment process.

"What we did do, with the outside recruitment firm, which I was passionate about because I don't think some of these firms know what the job actually is and they just pick a head of recruitment at whatever club - I said 'come and spend a week shadowing me, interview all my staff, have a feel for the culture' and it's only a week so they weren't going to get a massive sense but they will get a sense of what needs to be done.

The Pink Un: Stuart Webber left Norwich City after their 3-2 win over Cardiff in November.Stuart Webber left Norwich City after their 3-2 win over Cardiff in November. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"They then went through the process and I came in at the end when the board had decided on the final two and they wanted me to be involved in a technical discussion. I knew the two people anyway and a decent opinion prior to that interview.

"It's super important for Ben that he is given the freedom to get in and do his job. I'll be at the end of the phone until March 31 for you, the owners, the head coach or any other staff.

"I live 10 minutes from the training ground; if you want me, then come and see me, but I won't be going back to the training ground."