Philippe Clement Sends Determined Message as Norwich City Prepare to Face Birmingham in His First Match
Birmingham City will host Norwich this weekend in what will be Philippe Clement’s first match in charge since he departed Rangers back in February. The Belgian coach was officially appointed as Norwich City’s new manager this week, replacing Liam Manning, and immediately vowed to work “day and night” to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Clement inherits a troubled side with only three days to prepare before travelling to St Andrew’s on Saturday. Norwich head into the fixture on the back of an 11-game winless streak and eight consecutive home defeats, leaving them second-bottom of the Championship. Manning’s fate was sealed after their last outing, when former Birmingham midfielder Jordan James struck a 90th-minute winner to hand Leicester a 2–1 victory and deepen the club’s crisis.
Norwich have been poor away from home as well, winning just two of their eight league matches on the road this season. Their previous visit to Birmingham — on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign — ended in defeat and contributed to the Blues’ relegation to League One.
Since then, the two clubs have headed in very different directions. Birmingham stormed through League One and have made an impressive return to the Championship, sitting 12 places and 12 points ahead of Norwich. Clement is determined to close that gap and insists he wants his new side to play with intensity and aggression.
“That’s how I love football and that’s been the case at every club I’ve managed,” Clement said. “I feel completely ready — otherwise, I wouldn’t have made this decision. I see the potential in this club, the potential in the players, and I also hear a clear commitment from the people here that they want to invest more going forward. Not only in January, but in the years ahead.”
He emphasised that his football philosophy has always been based on attacking with purpose, pressing high, and playing at a strong tempo. “In every club I’ve worked at, we’ve played attacking football with high intensity, pressing aggressively, and aiming to score goals,” he told the club website.
But he also stressed the importance of tightening up defensively, admitting the team has conceded far too often this season.
Clement revealed that he had watched nearly all of Norwich’s matches before taking the job and already had familiarity with several players from past transfer interest. However, he acknowledged that confidence within the squad appears low and that some players are performing below their usual level.
“I’ve seen better from some of these players in the past. Right now, there’s clearly a lack of confidence, but that’s a challenge that motivates me — getting the best out of everyone again,” he said.
Clement pledged total commitment to the task ahead. “I’m completely all in, and anyone who knows me understands I work day and night to improve things, to get results, and to sustain them. They won’t see me in pubs or restaurants — I’m here to work. Norwich is a beautiful part of the country, but that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to deliver results and to help this club reach its ambitions.”
Those ambitions, he made clear, include returning Norwich City to the Premier League in the near future.
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