Norwich City’s poor start fuels talk of Philippe Clement’s future

Norwich City have endured a nightmare start to their Championship campaign under manager Philippe Clement, sitting 21st and only one point clear of the relegation zone after a fifth straight defeat. A 1-0 loss at Carrow Road to Portsmouth on Saturday saw Marko Milovanovic convert a 51st‑minute penalty.

Form and expectations after a strong finish

After Clement arrived in November, the Canaries climbed to become one of the form teams and finished ninth when the season turned. That late‑season surge generated optimism among supporters heading into the new campaign, but the current poor run has reversed that sentiment.

The recent defeat leaves Norwich with three points from five games and a looming away fixture at Charlton Athletic. Despite the slide, Clement appears set to retain his duties for the upcoming match, although some fans are beginning to question his long‑term suitability.

Speculation on a possible replacement

FLW pundit Zeke Downes dismissed the idea of an immediate sacking, but when asked who he would consider, he named former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank as an “exciting option”. Downes said, "I don't really know because I can't see Clement being sacked. If he is, I don't really know who I'd bring in to replace him."

Frank guided Brentford to promotion via the 2021 play‑offs and established the club in the Premier League over a near seven‑year spell before moving to Spurs last summer. At Tottenham he won just 13 of 38 games and was dismissed in February while the club sat 16th.

Now 53, Frank has taken an extended break after his Tottenham exit, leaving the door open for a Championship side. FLW revealed he was on Birmingham City’s radar earlier this year, though his stock has fallen following the difficult spell in North London.

With Frank likely out of reach, the market offers few attractive alternatives, meaning Clement may be granted more time despite the current malaise.

James, the author of the piece, graduated from the University of Leeds with an undergraduate degree in English Language and Linguistics in 2021 before achieving a Masters in Society, Culture and Media at the same university the following year. In his time with, James has produced thousands of articles covering the Championship, League One and League Two, and the story was added to on Google as a preferred source.