Advertisement
Hughton. Jon Buckle/EMPICS Sport
Frontrunner

Canaries close in on Hughton appointment

The former Ireland international’s current club Birmingham City have granted him permission to speak with Norwich officials.

CHRIS HUGHTON WILL speak Norwich about taking the vacant managerial position.

The Canaries are without a boss since Paul Lambert departed for Aston Villa last week and have made the former Ireland defender their number one target.

Birmingham City, who Hughton led to the Championship play-off final last season, have reluctantly granted the 53-year-old permission to speak with Norwich officials and have agreed a compensation package, according to the Daily Mail.

“Birmingham City FC can confirm that Norwich City FC have made an approach for Chris Hughton with regards to their vacant managerial position. Hughton expressed a wish to speak to the Canaries and permission was reluctantly granted,” a statement from Birmingham read.

“Chris is a great manager and deserves the opportunity to speak to Norwich which is why we have granted him permission to speak to them,” added chairman Peter Pannu.

Hughton, who worked under Brian Kerr during his time in charge of Ireland before becoming assistant at Spurs and taking charge of Newcastle, is highly-regarded and has done his reputation no harm during the 12 months at Birimingham.

He has also been linked with the West Brom job in recent days.

‘The nation holds its breath’ – The story behind that famous quote

2 days to Euro 2012: How well do you know Giovanni Trapattoni?