Norwich sack manager Daniel Farke despite victory over Brentford

Norwich have sacked Daniel Farke just hours after he led the side to their first Premier League victory of the season, 2-1 at Brentford.

Farke, who joined the club in 2017 and won two Championship titles in 2019 and 2021, had been under increasing pressure after his side failed to win any of their opening 10 league games this season. His backroom staff, Eddie Riemer, Chris Domogalla and Christopher John, have all also left the club.

Norwich’s sporting director, Stuart Webber, said the decision “was not an easy one … I know how determined Daniel and his staff were to succeed at this level, but we feel that now is the right time for a change to give ourselves the best opportunity of retaining our Premier League status.

“All at Norwich City should be forever grateful to Daniel and his staff for the significant role they have played in our journey. They helped deliver two titles, many memorable moments and they all fully bought into our philosophy and what it means to be part of this football club.”

The decision comes just over a week after Webber told the Guardian it would be “incredibly unfair” to question Farke. “We can’t be setting targets of ‘someone’s got a game left, two games left, 10 games left, a season left, two seasons left’,” he said. “We’re fully committed to Daniel, that’s why we gave him a four-year contract in the summer. The work he’s done at this club has been beyond incredible.”

Speaking before news of his dismissal emerged, Farke hailed his side’s resilience at Brentford as a solo goal from Mathias Normann and Teemu Pukki’s penalty secured what was their first away win in the Premier League in almost two years.

“It was a long wait,” he said. “We’ve had a tough start for many reasons. So to get that first win under your belt always feels good for the confidence and the self-belief and now the table looks a bit closer as well.

“It’s definitely a great day for us. My players are young lads and it’s not easy for them when there’s a lot of criticism. Last season we were more or less winning game after game but at Premier League level it’s a different animal.

“But there is spirit and belief in this dressing room – and everyone was committed to getting the first three points for the club.”

Farke’s dismissal means four Premier League managers have now been sacked so far this season – the same as for the whole of 2020-21.