Why Ben Knapper must be an agent for change at Norwich City

A new head coach, the construction of a fresh squad, the reconnection of departments and the re-engagement of supporters who have become disenfranchised with what has been served up. 

It's quite the in-tray. Especially for Knapper's first as a sporting director. The fact work has begun and decisions are being taken is undoubtedly a positive. 

Hiring Dean Smith and David Wagner, coupled with a major shift in transfer policy under the latter, were evidence of sticking plaster solutions geared towards chasing short-term targets.  

Despite Wagner stabilising and even reversing some unwelcome trends like their form at Carrow Road, he was unable to connect his footballing idealogy with what the fanbase desires. In the final months, everything about his tenure felt short-term and temporary. 

In truth, that is an apt diagnosis of the post-Farke era at Norwich. It has felt like constant chasing of a goal rather than consideration over identity, process, and productivity. It has been a club geared towards outcome, forgetting that the end goal is the destination, but requires a journey to get there.

Norwich have an ageing squad. They have young players frustrated with the lack of pathways. Assets who will be moved on this summer as parachute payments conclude. This is going to be and has to be, a radical summer of change at Carrow Road.

Knapper, perhaps unfairly, has been perceived as someone showing inaction. In reality, as recent decisions document, he was laying the foundations to hit the ground running. 

Wagner was going to be dismissed regardless of whether the campaign ended as it did or through a trophy lift at Wembley. The players who have been released have been assessed over a significant period. The due diligence on potential candidates and conversations have been ongoing for months. 

Knapper wants to rip off the bandage and get to work on tackling the issues. Some of them won't be quick to solve, especially as more experienced players still have years left on their current contracts.

But at the core of his mission will be connecting the key elements again. Norwich's academy has felt distant throughout this year as young talent has been consistently overlooked. The style of play hasn't been one that has left supporters enthused, even when winning, and the recruitment has been inconsistent and muddled.

Elland Road defeat was the end of the road for David Wagner and Norwich City in their current form. (Image: Matt Wilkinson/Focus Images Ltd)

Supporters haven't embraced the underdog mentality nor conservative approach that has reigned supreme throughout this year. It needs a shift in style, approach and strategy to bring a sense of renewal around the place.

They are ready to love again. Smith and Wagner, despite their personalities, haven't connected with the fanbase through personality or footballing outlook. But look at the evolution—Farke to Smith to Wagner—three coaches with different styles and outlooks. There has been an inconsistency in process that has leaked onto the pitch. 

At the core of what Knapper does this summer, alongside the inevitable churn of players and appointment of a head coach, is to enact a project that can unite and reconnect. That will require time and communication, but Norwich fans will be ready for that journey. 

Forget about the Premier League. Forget even about winning. Norwich need to rediscover the 'how'. How do they want to play? How do they want to recruit? How do they want to approach young players? How do they want to bring fans on side?

It's about building a squad but also a culture and process. It's about definition and realignment—as was the case when Stuart Webber sought to do the same in 2017. Knapper undeniably has a better base, but the scale of the task remains the same.

By virtue of that, it won't be a job that starts and ends this summer. It will take multiple windows, time, and clarity. At the full-time whistle at Elland Road, it felt like the end of an era. It felt tired. It felt like it needed real change. 

Norwich will start the season with a new head coach leading a much-changed and much younger group of players. That should be an exciting proposition for everyone involved. 

City will target a younger head coach, as is Knapper's preference, one who is on the way up and ready for the challenge of leading a new group.

It is little coincidence that those at the top of bookmakers' odds are Carlos Cuesta, 28, Will Still, 31, Liam Rosenior, 39, and Johannes Hoff Thorup, 35. Not to say it'll be any of those specifically, but the profile matches what Knapper feels comfortable working with. 

Just a quick look at the Championship this season documents that trend - Enzo Marseca, Kieran McKenna, Carlos Corberan, Russell Martin, Michael Carrick and even Marti Cifuentes and Danny Rohl are all under 45. 

Ben Knapper has to find answers to plenty of questions at Norwich City. (Image: Adam Harvey/Newsquest)

But it cannot be about just trends. It has to be about alignment. Norwich need to get back to being a proactive rather than reactive side. A side that forces the issues rather than worrying about them. 

Knapper has had months to lay the groundwork for his plans and now has the chance to stamp his authority on the club. That starts with his head coach—an appointment that Norwich needs to get right after two years of struggle and malaise. 

He may have been in post for six months, but this is truly the start of the Knapper era at Norwich City. He has to be an agent for change, and his first few decisions show that he is up for that challenge. 

Let the fun commence. Strap in.