This is the article

Norwich City's embattled sporting director Ben Knapper is staying at the club and will lead the search for Liam Manning's replacement, this newspaper understands.

Knapper has been the focus for fan anger with the crowd calling for his sacking during Saturday's home defeat to Leicester and hundreds staying behind to protest after the game.

But City sources have said there are no plans to replace him and that he will be in charge of the recruitment of the club's next head coach.

However, it is understood that owner Mark Attanasio will take a more hands-on approach than during the process which led to the appointment of Manning.

The news will frustrate many supporters who believe Knapper lacks the experience and judgement to make the right choice.

During Attanasio's interview with BBC Radio Norfolk less than two weeks ago he said that Knapper would be "accountable" for his performance.

He said: "I want to measure everyone at the appropriate time. Some of it depends on the severity of the downturn."

During the same interview, Attanasio also said there was no plan to sack Manning, who was then sacked after the game on Saturday.

The club hoped that decision would dampen the fans' anger but many are still calling for the sacking of Knapper as well as others on the board, including Zoe Webber, the executive director.

The club hope the new head coach will be appointed by the next game, against Birmingham on November 22.

Posted By: jamesward on November 10th 2025 at 13:31:49

Message Thread

Knapper and the manager search. (NCFC) - Earlsfieldyellow, Nov 10, 12:55:00
- He will be leading a process of deciding on a short list to interview at most. (NCFC) - megson, Nov 10, 16:29:20
- Not wishing to sound like a broken record, but… (NCFC) - Snakepit Divorceee, Nov 10, 15:11:49
- when all other options have been exhausted .... (NCFC) - ghostof barry butler, Nov 10, 13:40:40
- Could do with offering the job to Big Sam on a 18th month contract (NCFC) - Hit Squadie, Nov 10, 13:04:29
- We don't actually know that knapper is fully in charge appointing a new manager (NCFC) - strap_on sally, Nov 10, 13:00:29
  - The board will sign it off (NCFC) - seminated_woolly, Nov 10, 13:42:50
  - Agreed, but MA has also admitted he doesn't know much about football (NCFC) - mr carra, Nov 10, 13:26:15
    - He has to be taking advice from someone other than Knapper (n/m) (NCFC) - strap_on sally, Nov 10, 13:46:50
- WW2 (n/m) (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Nov 10, 12:58:41
- The EDP article says Attanasio is going to take a more hands on approach (NCFC) - LincolnshireCanary, Nov 10, 12:58:04
  - Was he in charge of it last time then? (NCFC) - mr carra, Nov 10, 13:04:49
    - I think the 'he' there referred to Knapper (NCFC) - Bertie Russell, Nov 10, 13:59:54
    - This is the article (NCFC) - jamesward, Nov 10, 13:31:49
    - he's a shrewd cookie, no way is letting ben krapper do it (NCFC) - Tombs, Nov 10, 13:22:52
      - Knapper must have some involvement though (NCFC) - mr carra, Nov 10, 13:27:38
        
        i am amazed he's still there tbf, it's a jim sized concern. (n/m) (NCFC) - Tombs, Nov 10, 13:29:00
        
        I guess the argument is that most of the players he bought might be decent if actually fit (NCFC) - mr carra, Nov 10, 13:33:29
        
        all fair points but the truth is we've gone from top 6 being our centre of mass target to (NCFC) - Tombs, Nov 10, 13:47:31
    - Knapper was in charge of appointing manning. (NCFC) - SimonOTBC, Nov 10, 13:19:36
      - I wouldn't think otherwise (NCFC) - mr carra, Nov 10, 13:23:50
        
        You’ve misread it, I think (NCFC) - SimonOTBC, Nov 10, 13:40:57
        
        That makes more sense. Cheers. (n/m) (NCFC) - mr carra, Nov 10, 13:42:23
        
        This time, more than any other time, this time (n/m) (NCFC) - jamesward, Nov 10, 13:28:09

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