Give my dad a chance - he won't let his Canaries down

Keiron Pim

Could Facebook play its part in appointing the next Norwich City manager? It will if Bryan Gunn's daughter Melissa has anything to do with it.

With her dad overseeing the Canaries' morale boosting 4-0 victory against Barnsley as interim manager at Carrow Road on Saturday, the 17-year-old has set up a group on the social networking website entitled “Bryan Gunn for manager”.

More than 800 members had added their support for the campaign to make the former City goalkeeper Norwich's next permanent boss, and the webpage includes an impassioned speech from Gunn's daughter.

“He played football for 15 years under the belt of Alex Ferguson, Mike Walker and many others, at the time when Norwich were most successful - getting to third in the Premiership and beating Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium. So he knows the game through and through,” says Melissa.

“He was goalkeeping coach last season, which was when we saw Marshall making progress. So he has the ability to coach and get the most out of players.

“Also, he has been working as a manager, in player recruitment and sponsorship sales for the last 10 years, and it is undeniable that he has great people skills and leadership quality through his widespread community and charity work, and the most important thing is that he has respect.

“This man is seriously Norwich through and through, and has got what it takes, he just needs to be given the chance to prove himself - (Saturday) was a prime example! Trust me, he won't let us down!”

The passionate plea also appears to have some high profile support, with one group member going by the name of a certain former Norwich loanee Ched Evans.

One poster on the page's 'wall', young Norwich striker Kris Renton, wrote: “Gunny is to us like Shearer is to Newcastle. This man is a legend. Just the guy, with the passion for our team, to drive us on especially for next season.”

The group is a clear indication Melissa would love her dad to take over the reins full-time at Carrow Road, and mum Susan said: “I'm proud of my daughter and it's nice that she wants to support her dad.

“It was done initially as a bit of fun and banter among herself and her school friends, to rally support ahead of Saturday's game. But like a lot of these things it has grown in momentum since then.”

She stressed that City's interim manager is still considering whether to put his hat in the ring for the role on a permanent basis.

“As far as the situation at the moment goes, I think Bryan is considering all different possibilities,” added Susan.

“But I think realistically I'm probably the one who is more tentative and realistic, and he is a total optimist and positive person. Whatever he decides to do, I will be 100 per cent behind him.

“As a family we love the football club and the city, and I have every faith that Delia and the board will make the right decision.

“Saturday was a proud moment. It was great, it was an amazing atmosphere and it was excellent to see the team perform so well and to see so many goals go in.

“We had a fantastic evening - it was my friend Maggie's 50th birthday party so we had a double celebration, for her birthday and for three points.”

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