​Norwich City will encounter a fresh set of hurdles as the new Championship campaign begins in August, according to manager Philippe Clement. The Canaries have made a remarkable turnaround since Clement took charge in November, climbing from near the bottom of the table to finish ninth after steering the team through 31 league matches, securing 17 victories under his leadership. This dramatic improvement has set high expectations for the season ahead.
Clement described the upcoming campaign as another fresh challenge, emphasizing the importance of assembling a new squad and managing transfers. “It’s a new challenge again, building a new squad, making transfers,” he told BBC Radio Norfolk. He noted the progress made in a relatively short period, highlighting that the groundwork completed so far will help the players hit the ground running come pre-season. “We’ve done a lot in a short time, so that’s a positive; they can step into pre-season and aren’t coming in August with a blank slate,” he said.
During the summer, Norwich have added defensive ace Bruno Alves and winger Andre Brooks to their ranks, strengthening essential areas as Clement continues to shape the squad for a sustained promotion push after last season’s strong late run. The new signings reflect Clement’s intent to reinforce the squad depth and quality needed to compete at a higher level. Clarifying the club’s approach, he explained that the focus remains on the fundamentals and the team’s distinctive style of play. “We have worked on basics, our way of playing. Everyone saw that growing last season, but you need to go back on things to refresh it in people’s minds,” he commented, underscoring the need to reinforce core principles while integrating new players.
Looking ahead to the season opener, Norwich City is scheduled to host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, 15 August, with a 15:00 BST kickoff. The match promises to set the tone for Clement’s plans and Norwich’s ambitions for a successful campaign in the Championship. The head coach’s plans for player development, tactical consistency, and squad competition will be crucial as the club seeks to build on the previous year’s momentum and push for a return to the top tier.
Fans will be keen to see how the new squad pieces fit together under Clement’s management as pre-season fixtures approach, providing a clearer view of how Norwich intend to challenge for promotion. With the blend of strategic signings, a strong finishing run last season, and a clear focus on maintaining the team’s playing style while refreshing the setup, Norwich City appear determined to convert potential into sustained Championship success. The coming weeks will reveal how quickly the new signings adapt and how effectively the squad can harmonize under Clement’s guidance as the club targets a return to the Premier League.