Norwich City have appointed FC Nordsjaelland manager Johannes Hoff Thorup as their new head coach after the clubs agreed a compensation package.
The 35-year-old Dane has signed a three-year deal to replace David Wagner, who was sacked less than 24 hours after the Canaries were humbled 4-0 at Leeds in the Championship play-off semi-final at Elland Road.
𝙷𝚎’𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 🤝 pic.twitter.com/d8CpWdrfFX
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) May 30, 2024
Thorup told the City website: “I’m excited, I hope that the supporters are excited as well. I hope that we can create something together, it’s so important that they are proud of the team.
“I feel the connection with the people, the club and the city. Everyone I have met with so far is so humble, nice and easy-going.
“I have my ideas and I have my principles in the way that we are going to play, but I am also here to listen to some of the good stuff that has already been done.
“I have to make sure that I am very clear that this is something that we do together and everyone has to have that feeling.”
Thorup will be assisted at Carrow Road by Glen Riddersholm, previously head coach of Swedish top-flight side Norkkoping.
City finished sixth in their second season back in the second tier after relegation from the Premier League but have appointed a coach known for developing young players – something the Canaries have flagged as a key aim of theirs going forward.
Thorup stepped up from assistant coach to take charge of Danish top-flight side Nordsjaelland in January 2023. He began as a youth coach at the club in 2015.
They finished second to qualify for the Europa Conference League qualifiers in his first term and this season they reached the group stage of the competition and secured another top-four finish in the Danish Superliga.
Canaries sporting director Ben Knapper said: “After a thorough and robust process, Johannes stood out amongst an incredible shortlist of candidates.
“Through all of our interactions, it was clear that Johannes aligns perfectly with our vision and values. He is a proven developer, with a clear and demonstrable playing style.
“We believe that Johannes will be the perfect fit for the next stage of our new and exciting journey.”
Punktummet på en 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐃 sæson 🐯
2023/2024-sæsonen har budt på mange op- og nedture, og desværre kunne vi ikke tage bronzemedaljerne med hjem til Farum i dag, men vi gav alt!👏🏼❤️💛
🔗 Læs cheftrænerens ord på dagens kamp, sæsonen og fansene her🔻https://t.co/6fsByOSKPZ#sldk pic.twitter.com/892TnVxmWh
— FC Nordsjælland 🐯 (@FCNordsjaelland) May 26, 2024