Paul Lambert takes the Canaries from League 1 to the Championships and onto the biggest prize, the Premiership in successive years. Yet another Glaswegian manager finding success. The side were in the bottom of League 1 when Lambert joined in 2009 and had just endured another humiliation: A 7-1 loss to Colchester.
Yesterday they returned to the Premiership after six years beating Pompey through a Simeon Jackson goal. The Canadian striker elevated to the pantheon of heroes with his header of a David Fox cross setting of waves of jubilation amongst the traveling fans at Fratton Park. Jackson’s season was part of a frenetic finish that saw the Canaries drop just one match in their last 15 matches.
From all accounts it’s a club that likes to play attacking football reflecting the manager’s own style as a creative midfielder. Lambert was part of the Borussia Dortmund squad that won the 1997 Champions League and his cross led to the first goal for an eventual 3-1 win over Juventus. His success continued at Celtic winning four SPL titles and captaining the Bhoys to the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
Paul Fletcher has more on how Lambert pulled off the Canaries spectacular rise.
Norwich’s Premiership appearance is a huge windfall not only for the club which stands to gain about £90m but the city’s hotels, pubs, and shops are looking to drive up business with the arrival of thousands of football fans.
Meanwhile QPR who won promotion sweats out the awaited verdict on alleged third party violations involving the transfer of Argentinian midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in 2009. The club could be docked points which would see them contend with Cardiff and Swansea for the final PL berth.