Williams a no-go for Norwich

Colchester United chief executive Marie Partner today issued a firm hands-off message with regards to the club's manager Geraint Williams.

Rumours that Williams is on the short-list of candidates for the vacant manager's job at Norwich City, and that he has even been interviewed, are apparently way off the mark.

Mrs Partner revealed that the Norfolk club had made no approach for U's boss Williams, and that the Welshman was hopefully going to be at Layer Road for many years to come.

Instead, his predecessor, Phil Parkinson, and now Steve Tilson at Southend are among the front-runners to replace the departed Peter Grant at Norwich.

“For George (Geraint Williams) to be approached, Norwich would have to go through the right channels, and I can confirm that no contact has been made,” said Mrs Partner last night.

“To be honest, I would hope that George would not even consider the Norwich job! He's quite happy being the No. 1 at Colchester. It's his own team this year. I know he was devastated with Tuesday night's result at Ipswich (a 3-1 defeat), like we all were, but it's his great belief that we have a lot to achieve this year.

“He doesn't want to hang his hat elsewhere, and because he spent so long as a player at Ipswich, I don't think he'd like to go to their deadliest rivals, Norwich!” added Mrs Partner.

Williams confirmed: “If there was any approach, I would have heard it from Robbie Cowling (chairman and owner), and I have heard nothing.

“I wasn't interviewed for the Norwich job on Tuesday. I was at Ipswich. Honest!” joked Williams.

Charlton assistant manager Parkinson, who masterminded the U's promotion into the Championship in 2005-06, is one of the favourites to become the new Canaries boss along with Tilson who declared his interest in the job today in the Norwich Evening News.

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson, Stoke boss Tony Pulis, and ex-Leicester manager Martin Allen are also in the running.