Norwich City must consider ex-Nottingham Forest and Leicester City man following Johannes Hoff Thorup sacking | OneFootball

Steve Cooper's Championship record should place the Welshman top of the Canaries' list

In the wake of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s departure, Norwich City must now turn their attention to rebuilding.

With the play-offs all but out of reach, the remainder of the season offers limited short-term objectives. Instead, the focus should shift to establishing a clear identity and direction ahead of the next campaign.

Among the potential candidates, Steve Cooper stands out - not only for his experience in the Championship, but for his ability to steady a project and build competitive teams in transitional periods.

Steve Cooper’s Championship credentials make him a logical successor

Steve Cooper’s managerial prowess in the Championship is well-documented. Across three seasons at this level - two with Swansea City and one with Nottingham Forest - he has guided his teams to play-offs at each attempt.

His teams, particularly in the second tier, have shown a consistent ability to absorb pressure and strike with speed and precision.

At Swansea, Cooper operated within tight financial constraints, yet built cohesive units that punched above their weight. At Forest, he inherited a side bottom of the table and transformed them into promotion winners within the same season - a testament to his ability to motivate and organise quickly.

While his tenure at Leicester City was less successful, this period should not overshadow his accomplishments in the second tier. The Foxes’ structural issues extended far beyond the head coach, and Cooper’s dismissal came amid a broader crisis of identity and expectation at the King Power Stadium.

For the Canaries, who now sit in a state of flux, Cooper offers a pragmatic option - one that understands both the grind of the division and the mental demands of a promotion race.

He has navigated rebuilds before and understands what’s required to mount a serious promotion challenge. His teams are typically disciplined, physically competitive, and well-organised - a solid base for a club looking to reset.

Johannes Hoff Thorup has laid the foundation for potential Steve Cooper success

Thorup’s footballing philosophy - based on controlled possession, wide full-backs, inverted wingers and structured build-up play - never fully took root for the Canaries, but it did point towards a more positional, modern style of play.

Cooper’s approach, especially in the Championship, has been more direct. His teams press with intensity, move the ball quickly through midfield, and are particularly dangerous in transition. At Forest, wing-backs and mobile forwards were key outlets in a side that preferred to play at speed.

Though the styles differ, there are still points of continuity. Cooper’s Forest demonstrated structure in possession and often pressed high. A switch from Thorup to Cooper wouldn’t represent a complete philosophical break, but rather a recalibration toward greater intensity and end product.

The caveat, of course, is the looming risk of losing star players that are integral to any forward-thinking approach. Josh Sargent’s energy and finishing, combined with Borja Sainz’s creativity, provided Thorup's Norwich with a rare cutting edge. Should they depart, Cooper would require backing in the transfer market to implement his preferred style effectively.

Still, Cooper’s adaptability is a strength. His skills lie not only in his tactical vision but also in his man-management - coaxing cohesion from disparate squads. At this stage, that could make all the difference for a Norwich side looking to build rather than overhaul.

Cooper’s track record in the Championship speaks for itself. He offers a level of experience and clarity that few other available managers can match. As Norwich look to reset and rebuild, Cooper is a name that should be firmly in the conversation.