Intriguing Norwich City next manager option emerges as Leeds hero targets ‘fairytale ending’ to Whites career

Championship side Norwich City have set their sights on FC Nordsjaelland head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, according to the bookmakers.

The Canaries are currently searching for a successor to David Wagner who was sacked following the club’s 4-0 defeat to Leeds United in the Championship play-off semi-final.

Reports from the Eastern Daily Press claim that Norwich want to meet Thorup later this week, though it is understood that he would need a work permit and discussions are yet to reach an advanced stage.

Thorup is one of several candidates that Norwich plan to meet, with AZ Alkmaar boss Pascal Jansen and Sunderland-linked boss Will Still also being linked earlier this week.

The bookmakers at SkyBet claim Thorup is the favourite for the post at odds of 15/8, the 35-year-old has 16 months of experience in the game with FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark and is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the league due to his attractive brand of football and his ability to develop young talent.

His team has won nine of their last 14 matches and have been praised for their ability to punch above their weight and compete with the heavyweights of the division. 

Leeds United hero targets fairytale ending in play-off final

Leeds United stalwart Liam Cooper claims that winning the play-off final against Southampton would be a ‘dream come true’ and the perfect way to end his decade at the club. The 32-year-old Scottish defender is out of contract in the summer and has not held talks about extending his stay at Elland Road. He has only started on league game since 1 January but was brought on late in the game as a substitute during the 4-0 win over Norwich City.

“It would be a fairytale ending” Cooper told BBC Radio Leeds.

”Those conversations haven’t happened yet so it’s not time to talk about my future, but it would be a dream come true for it to end like that.

“I’m looking forward to it. Whether I play 90 minutes, 120 minutes, two minutes or I don’t get on at all. It’s all about whats best for the club and I’ll do everything I can to get the boys rallied and up for it. There’s no feeling like achieving success at this football club.”

Cooper joined the Whites from Chesterfield and has made a combined total of 284 appearances since joining the West Yorkshire side. He has been a key player under 13 different managers - including Marcelo Bielsa who previously guided the club to the Premier League as Championship winners in 2020.