Norwich City close in on new boss

Chris Lakey

Norwich City are in negotiations with their “number one” managerial target.

Chief executive David McNally has confirmed that the candidate is currently with an English club and says he is confident that he will be able to lure him to Carrow Road to replace Bryan Gunn, who was sacked on Friday.

McNally met with his target yesterday, having had permission from the club to speak to him.

“The process has started,” he said. “We have a short list of people that we're interested in. I would also add that many, many people have applied for the position, but this is a head-hunting exercise rather than us interviewing people who have applied for the role.

“We have identified in order who we would like to see and we've focussed on our number one target.

“I've met with him and we are in talks. Unfortunately, at this stage, I can't confirm when he will be at the football club but I am confident that at some point as soon as possible we should be able to make a positive announcement.

“He is currently in employment at another football club.”

That means speculation that the likes of Adrian Boothroyd, Gordon Strachan and Lawrie Sanchez would be managing City is wide of the mark - but it does open up a whole new list of possibilities.

McNally's comments would suggest that Scunthorpe's Nigel Adkins is not the man, after Iron chairman Steve Wharton said yesterday he had had no contact from Carrow Road.

“I have heard nothing from Norwich about Nigel - and I hope it stays that way,” he said.

“I would be bitterly disappointed to lose him, but I am pleased we have a manager who other people are interested in.

“That is because he is successful. If he wasn't then there wouldn't be an interest.”

Adkins took over from Brian Laws in November 2006 and has twice won Scunthorpe promotion to the Championship.