Hughton sacked as Norwich turn to untried Adams
NORWICH have charged youth team manager Neil Adams with guiding them to Premier League safety after last night sacking manager Chris Hughton with five games of the season remaining.
Saturday’s home defeat to fellow strugglers West Brom left Norwich one place and five points clear of the relegation zone, leading some angry supporters to throw missiles in Hughton’s direction at full-time.
The Canaries take on four of the league’s top-six teams during a testing run-in, but the club’s board are confident former winger Adams is the right man to secure a fourth consecutive season in the top flight.
A statement read: “The Norwich City board has taken the decision to give the club maximum chance to secure the points required between now and the end of the season to ensure retention of our Barclays Premier League status.
“The recent run of four defeats in our last six Premier League games and six consecutive away league defeats left the club with no choice but to act with five games left to play in the current campaign.”
Adams made 206 appearances for the Canaries during the 1990s, scoring 30 goals, and guided the Under-18s side to their first FA Youth Cup triumph in 30 years last season, beating Chelsea in the final.
The 48-year-old said: “To say I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity of managing Norwich City would be a massive understatement.
“These final five games will be a huge test for us and everyone must step up to the mark.
“But with the full backing of these magnificent Norwich supporters we will have every chance of achieving our objective.”
FINAL FIXTURES
■ Fulham (a)
■ Liverpool (h)
■ Manchester United (a)
■ Chelsea (a)
■ Arsenal (h)