Norwich City: David Wagner to be unveiled as Canaries head coach

Reports in Germany on Wednesday morning state Wagner will become Dean Smith's successor at Carrow Road.

The German-born coach is expected to be unveiled formally within the next 36 hours and will bring long-term assistant Christoph Buhler with him to Norfolk.  

German sports broadcaster, Sport1, report on Wednesday morning the 51-year-old is poised to sign his City contract 'in the coming hours'. It is likely that Wagner will sign a 12-month rolling deal with the Canaries. 

#Wagner hat neuen Klub https://t.co/dMnvbZzorN

— SPORT1 (@SPORT1) January 4, 2023

Norwich moved for Wagner after holding talks with three candidates – including Wagner – since parting company with Smith on December 27 following a poor run of form and heavy criticism for supporters.

After that process, Wagner has emerged as the chosen candidate and will succeed Smith as City boss, tasked with improving results and performances with the club sitting 11th in the Championship table following a 1-0 defeat to Watford on Monday.  

Wagner is expected to take charge of Sunday’s FA Cup third round clash against Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road, with his first Championship game as head coach taking place against Preston North End at Deepdale a week later.  

Work has already begun on preparing for that match - with it understood that Wagner's assistant Buhler has been analysing Sunday's opponents whilst travelling to Norfolk.

The appointment will see Wagner again link up with sporting director Stuart Webber, who made him head coach of Huddersfield Town in 2015. The pair led the Terriers to their first promotion to the top-flight in 45 years, although the Welshman departed for Norwich before the end of that campaign.  

Wagner went on to retain Huddersfield’s Premier League status a year later against all the odds – but left in January 2019 with the club looking destined for relegation.  

Jobs at Schalke and Young Boys followed – with Wagner sacked from both posts after 40 games in charge.  

David Wagner is set to become Norwich City's next head coach, reuniting with Stuart Webber. (Image: PA Images)

His return to Germany came amidst off pitch troubles and intense internal politics that proved difficult to manage, with Wagner overseeing a run of 18 Bundesliga matches without a win before his dismissal.  

A move to Switzerland followed but a failure to retain the Super League title saw him dismissed with Young Boys finishing 15 points behind eventual champions FC Zurich. They did record an impressive Champions League Group Stage victory against Manchester United under Wagner.  

Norwich will be hoping that Wagner will help rebuild the connection with the fans, implement a coherent style of play and lead the club back to the Premier League – as is their desired aim this season.