Norwich confirm Stuart Webber appointment

STUART WEBBER has been confirmed as the new Sporting Director of Norwich City.

Webber, 33, was placed on gardening leave by Huddersfield last week, having “expressed a desire to leave the football club”.

As reported by TGG yesterday, both clubs were keen to wait until the conclusion of last night’s Championship match at the John Smith’s - which Huddersfield won 4-0 - before announcing the appointment.

Webber said: “In terms of the next stage of my career, the opportunity to come to a club the size of Norwich was something which I couldn't turn down. The club are embracing how things are done in Europe, where it's been successful for a number of years.”

Webber will be tasked with finding a new manager after Alex Neil's sacking last month.

“The attraction of having the remit to come in and massively affect the football department, from the tip of the iceberg with the first team right down to the academy, makes it an exciting challenge for myself.

“There's a real carte blanche to go and do it as I believe is right and you don't get many opportunities like that at big football clubs.”

Webber will work with managing director Steve Stone after Norwich changed their structure and made the role of chief executive redundant following the exit of Jez Moxey in February.

Alan Irvine has taken temporary charge of the Canaries since Neil's dismissal. Chairman Ed Balls told the club website he was “excited about the impact” Webber would make.

Webber began his coaching badges at the age of just 16, before becoming assistant head of youth at Wrexham. Then he moved on to Liverpool, where he became director of academy recruitment and developed a good relationship with Damien Comolli, their then director of football strategy.

Comolli is reported to have advised Norwich on Webber’s appointment. In 2012, Webber joined QPR as head of scouting, before moving to Wolves as head of recruitment.

Two years later, he joined struggling Huddersfield as head of football operations, and played a key role in hiring the little-known David Wagner as head coach.

That appointment has proven to be inspired, with the Terriers now vying for promotion to the Premier League. Norwich will hope Webber can have a similar impact at Carrow Road, with his choice of manager again likely to prove pivotal.