Dexter Lembikisa’s stunning first career goal set Rotherham on their way to a 2-1 victory over Norwich at the New York Stadium.

The 19-year-old Jamaica international, on loan from Wolves, blasted the Millers ahead before Jordan Hugill added a second.

Christian Fassnacht gave the Canaries hope but they suffered their first Championship defeat of the season as Rotherham celebrated a first win.

Norwich had the first chance of the game and it was carved out by Dimitris Giannoulis down the left wing but his cut-back was diverted wide by Gabriel Sara.

Luton loanee Fred Onyedinma came within inches of bagging his third goal in as many home games when he showed great skill in the box before rattling the post with a powerful effort.

The opener came from the next attack in the 22nd minute with a long throw falling towards Lembikisa who lashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Viktor Johansson was first brought into action by Ashley Barnes who tried to curl into the bottom corner from distance but the Swede got down well to save.

Rotherham were still having the better of the play and deservedly doubled their lead after 40 minutes when Hugill guided in a pinpoint cross from Cafu.

Norwich started the second half with more purpose and threatened when Sara’s low corner was poked just wide by Kenny McLean.

They got a goal back after 50 minutes with Jonathan Rowe supplying Fassnacht to poke in at the near post.

Rotherham could have restored their two-goal advantage with a counter-attack move led by Hugill and Cohen Bramall but Andre Green misjudged his header at the back post.

A deflected cross from Jack Stacey then posed problems for Johansson who would have been relieved to see it strike the outside of the post.

Cafu came agonisingly close to a third for Rotherham with a stunning curling effort after Ollie Rathbone had glided by McLean down the left flank.

Another big chance fell the way of Stacey but he could not get a solid connection on his strike.

Lembikisa had to do some last-ditch defending to block an effort as the visitors cranked up the pressure in the final five minutes.

Substitute Przemyslaw Placheta should have done better with an effort from Tony Springett’s centre but he could not get on top of his strike and it sailed off target.

David Wagner was bursting with pride after seeing his much-changed Norwich team reach the Carabao Cup third round with a deserved success at Bristol City.

The winner came on 49 minutes when Przemyslaw Placheta accepted a pass from Sam McCallum inside the box and turned to fire a right-footed shot just inside the far post.

It was enough to edge a fast, open game in favour of a Canaries team featuring nine changes.

Wagner said: “I am over the moon and very proud. We picked a young side and they have produced a very mature performance.

“We were not as clinical as against Huddersfield, but it was a great win against a very good Bristol side.

“What we showed was that whoever starts and whoever comes on as a sub, everyone knows his job and there is a togetherness about the group.

“We have a good and reliable squad, even if it is not high on numbers. I won’t rule out anything before the transfer window closes, but if we go with the current players I am up for the fight.”

Bristol City lacked a cutting edge to capitalise on some promising approach play.

Boss Nigel Pearson said: “It was about key moments again. There was a situation where Anis Mehmeti could have set up Nahki Wells for a tap-in and we have to do better in those situations.

“Ephraim Yeboah goes and looks dangerous, but we squander chances to give him the ball. That is poor decision-making.

“I expect more from all the players in terms of the winning mentality we need. We came up a bit short tonight against a very good team.”

Norwich created the better chances, Max O’Leary saving brilliantly from Adam Idah in the first half and Liam Gibbs striking the crossbar just before Placheta broke the deadlock.

An opportunist second-half strike from Przemyslaw Placheta was enough to put Norwich through to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 victory over Championship rivals Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The winner came on 49 minutes when Placheta accepted a pass from Sam McCallum inside the box and turned cleverly to fire a right-footed shot just inside the far post from a narrow angle.

It was the decisive moment in a fast, open game that did credit to both sides.

The highlight of an entertaining first half was Max O’Leary’s brilliant 27th-minute save to keep out a powerful downward header from Norwich striker Adam Idah.

Both teams failed to match promising approach play with a decisive finish, Nahki Wells forcing Norwich’s debutant goalkeeper George Long into a smart save with a 44th-minute drive.

Idah shot narrowly wide early on, while Gabriel Sara also went close for the visitors with a 40th-minute shot.

Norwich made a fast start to the second half, Liam Gibbs striking the crossbar with a shot from inside the box before Placheta broke the deadlock.

From then on, the visitors defended strongly to repel a committed home side, lacking a cutting edge.

Manager David Wagner expressed his pride as Norwich claimed a 4-0 Championship victory on his return to Huddersfield.

The Canaries continued their impressive start to the season as they stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

Josh Sargent pounced on a Lee Nicholls error to hand the visitors an early lead and score in a third-successive game.

The hosts’ calamitous start worsened when Matty Pearson conceded a penalty and Ashley Barnes converted from the spot.

Straight after the interval, the in-form Jonathan Lowe continued his feat of scoring in every game as he notched a fifth goal this term. And Adam Idah rounded off a delightful Norwich display with a late fourth as they rose to second place.

“We scored some very good goals and it was a deserved win,” former Huddersfield boss Wagner said.

“Nobody knows better than me how difficult this place can be and this was a big win from us.

“Coming to Huddersfield away from home, if you don’t take the lead or if you give chances away, the supporters can make a big difference.

“The players have done fantastic, used their opportunities and defended their goal with everything they had.

“(Goalkeeper Angus) Gunn was fantastic and it’s our first clean sheet and offensively we were able to break from that.

“Unfortunately, Sargent has a serious ankle injury but this goal shows the character and desire of him and the whole group.

“Overall, it was a very good performance and all our strikers have done great and scored and our substitutes made an impact as well.

“We can create good opportunities and score and this is good to know, but our whole performance was right today.

“The fact we scored four is pleasing but to keep our first clean sheet in the Championship this season, makes the win even greater.

“I’ll never rule anything out with the transfer window still open but I am very happy with the squad we have.”

It was another miserable afternoon for Huddersfield, who are still yet to record a victory this season.

Josh Ruffels went closest to handing the hosts a reprieve, but his goal-bound header was saved miraculously by Gunn.

“I can’t fault the effort at all,” said boss Neil Warnock. “There’s nobody on the pitch today who’s not given everything.

“The goals we’re conceding are silly and we can’t keep giving goals away like that – Norwich is a good side without giving them a goal.

“We started off really strong, on the front foot and I didn’t think they were going to cope with us and then we gave a goal away.

“And then the penalty’s very iffy and you’re two-nil down and you can’t believe it.

“The lads are giving everything and you can’t ask any more, but they’re very elementary goals and you can’t concede like that at this level.

“We’re getting in decent positions, but we’ve not been able to finish.

“At the end of the day, I can’t fault the effort and they’re giving me everything. And there’s a lot of the points of the game today that I did enjoy.

“But if you make mistakes like that at any level of football, you’re going to get punished and we can’t be doing that.

“I think we can beat anybody on our day but when we’re playing well, we shoot ourselves in the foot.”

In-form Norwich heaped misery on winless Huddersfield as David Wagner clinched a 4-0 Championship victory on his return to the John Smith’s Stadium.

The Canaries continued their unbeaten start to the season as they secured a third-successive win in all competitions and moved up to third.

Wagner’s visitors rose to an early lead when Josh Sargent pounced on a Lee Nicholls error to score for the third league game in a row.

And the erroneous hosts fell further behind when a Matty Pearson challenge was punished and Ashley Barnes converted the ensuing spot-kick.

A calamitous opening 17 minutes set the tone for the Terriers, who fell further behind after the restart when Jonathan Rowe notched his fifth goal in as many games.

Substitute Adam Idah added a late fourth as Neil Warnock’s side continue their search for a first win of the campaign.

Despite their contrast in seasons so far, it was Huddersfield who started the brighter and they nearly took the lead inside five minutes.

An audacious Josh Koroma effort from range dipped and swerved viciously, but goalkeeper Angus Gunn was saved by the foot of his woodwork.

However, the hosts’ spirited start was undone as Sargent benefitted from a comedy of errors to notch the game’s opener.

The United States international – who scored against the Terriers last season – blocked a Nicholls clearance and then beat the keeper in a foot race before heading the ball into an empty net.

Sargent was taken off through injury in the process, following his collision with Nicholls, but the enforced change in personnel did not deter Norwich.

And a matter of moments later, they doubled their advantage after a clumsy Pearson felled the impressive Rowe in the area.

Summer recruit Barnes, who scored his 100th EFL goal and his first for the Canaries last weekend, took the responsibility from 12 yards and converted coolly.

A shell-shocked Huddersfield rallied to shorten their arrears and they should have halved the deficit before the interval.

Josh Ruffels’ goal-bound header was destined to nestle in the top corner if not for the heroic intervention of Gunn, who clawed the ball clear.

Wagner’s half-time instructions clearly had an impact as Norwich added a third instantly after the restart.

An incisive Canaries counter ended with Idah’s inviting cross finished first time by Rowe – in the process, the 20-year-old continued his feat of scoring in every game this season.

Warnock’s outfit held onto their slim hopes of staging a comeback with Tom Edwards, Koroma and substitute Pat Jones forcing saves from Gunn.

However, any chance of a fightback was extinguished when Idah latched onto a Marcelino Nunez through-ball and calmly slotted it beyond Nicholls.

Norwich clinched a third win in their opening four league games as they equalled their strongest start to the season since 2002.

Norwich head coach David Wagner feels his side have given themselves a great platform to build on after beating Millwall 3-1 at Carrow Road to make it seven points from a possible nine in the Championship.

Jonathan Rowe scored for the fourth successive game to give the Canaries a first-half lead before Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes struck early in the second period.

Millwall substitute Aidomo Emakhu pulled one back in added time but Norwich were worthy winners as they extended their unbeaten start to the campaign.

“I am very pleased with the performance,” Wagner said. “We created many opportunities, scored some good goals and could have scored more.

“We were also solid at the back and showed the sort of fight you always have to have against a side like Millwall.

“I had a feeling in pre-season that we had got something going here and we have now carried that on into the season proper.

“We have performed well so far and although it is only early days we have given ourselves a good platform to build on. Now we need to keep that going in the three matches we have before the international break.”

The former Huddersfield boss was full of praise for Barnes, who opened his Norwich account by netting his 100th goal as a professional.

Wagner added: “The goals speak for themselves with Ashley but he is also very good defensively and works his socks off for the team. I love working with him, he is a good pro and a great guy as well.”

A big travelling contingent made their discontent with manager Gary Rowett clear during and after the game.

And the Millwall boss admitted the abuse had been tough to take.

“To be fair if you are a fan you spend a lot of time and money on following your club and you can say what you want,” Rowett said.

“I understand they were frustrated with a poor performance but as a human being what they were saying about me is something I found disappointing and hurtful.

“No-one likes to hear things like that said about them but I have to take it on the chin, and I suppose I would prefer them to take it out on me rather than the players.

“We need a reaction from everyone, myself and my staff included, and have to work hard to turn this around. We had a great start at Middlesbrough but since then we have had three poor defeats.

“I can take getting outplayed by Norwich, because they are a good side who will be up there at the end of the season, but I can’t take getting out-fought and out worked. I was very disappointed with the way we played today.”

Norwich maintained their impressive start to the Championship season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Millwall at Carrow Road.

Young winger Jonathan Rowe maintained his record of scoring in every game so far this season to make it 1-0 and further goals from Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes early in the second half effectively sealed the points.

For the Lions a late strike from substitute Aidomo Emakhu proved little consolation for the big travelling contingent, who expressed their displeasure with manager Gary Rowett during the game.

Norwich have picked up seven points from a possible nine and the quality of their performance suggests there could be plenty to excite the Norwich faithful this season.

The hosts were soon into their stride on a sunny afternoon at Carrow Road and Sargent was only inches wide with a first-time drive after just six minutes.

The pressure continued, with Gabriel Sara’s curling free-kick being tipped around the post by Matija Sarkic, before the Canaries made early dominance count in the 25th minute.

Excellent first-touch passes from first Sara and then Barnes saw the ball fed into the path of Rowe just inside the box and the in-form winger produced a sublime rising finish into the top corner to open the scoring.

Millwall were producing little at the other end, with a blocked shot from Kevin Nisbet their best moment of the first half, and Norwich almost doubled their lead just before the break when Rowe sent a powerful header narrowly wide from Christian Fassnacht’s deep cross.

The Canaries wasted no time in doubling their advantage after the break, Sargent netting his second of the season in the 49th minute.

Millwall were guilty of some poor marking as Sara’s inswinging free-kick came into the box, and the American frontman had little trouble heading past Sarkic, with his close-range effort going in off the far post.

Strike partner Barnes quickly got in on the act, making it 3-0 after 56 minutes following more ragged defending from the Lions.

This time Shaun Hutchinson and Jake Cooper got in each other’s way as they attempted to clear Jack Stacey’s low cross from the right, and the ball fell kindly for Barnes to turn and fire home from just outside the six yard box.

The game fizzled out after that, with the destination of the points clearly decided, although substitute Emakhu tucked home a neat consolation in stoppage time.

Norwich boss David Wagner urged Norwich matchwinner Jonathan Rowe not to get carried away after his Carabao Cup first-round winner at QPR.

Rowe’s header in the final seconds at Loftus Road secured a 1-0 victory and an away tie against Bristol City in the second round.

The 20-year-old has scored in all three of the Canaries’ games this season and his manager has challenged him to keep improving.

Wagner said: “It’s great that he scores goals and great for him as an individual.

“If you work hard you will get your rewards and this is what Johnny has done.

“He’s a talent but he has a lot of work to do – keep the feet on the ground and make sure you work hard and continue what you are doing.

“We will support him but we will challenge him as well.”

The game produced very few clear-cut openings before a late Norwich flurry, with Ashley Barnes missing a great chance for the Canaries before Rowe netted.

“I think it was a deserved win and that we were the better team – the team which really chased for the win,” Wagner added.

“It was not a top performance but as the game went on I thought we created opportunities without being clinical in the final third.”

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth was encouraged by the performance of his young players.

Both managers made several changes and Ainsworth brought on academy products Alexander Aoraha and Rayan Kolli in the second half for their senior debuts.

Ainsworth said: “I got what I needed tonight and that was seeing the commitment and the standard of the players that haven’t been playing.

“We had players on the pitch from the academy during the game and two debutants at the end who are playing against players who have been sold for millions.

“So I’m really proud of the boys, but it is gutting to lose the goal at the end. The boys didn’t deserve that. Gutted but very proud.

“It’s cruel but it’s a lesson for some of our young boys, and the future looks quite rosy here.”

Jonathan Rowe’s goal in the final seconds gave Norwich a 1-0 win at QPR and a place in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

As the tie appeared to be heading for a penalty shoot-out, Rowe headed home Kellen Fisher’s cross for his third goal is as many games.

The game produced very few clear-cut chances before a late Norwich flurry.

Canaries substitute Ashley Barnes missed a great chance when he sent a free header wide of the target.

Rangers keeper Joe Walsh was then called into action, saving with his legs to deny Gabriel Sara, and City went close again when Przemyslaw Placheta fired narrowly wide.

QPR’s best opportunity fell to Lyndon Dykes, who was unable to react quickly enough after Albert Adomah’s cross had been headed down by Elijah Dixon-Bonner.

Scotland striker Dykes went off in obvious discomfort shortly after the hour mark having appeared to pick a knee injury – a concern for the R’s given their lack of attacking options.

The Canaries will be away to Bristol City in the next round.

Southampton manager Russell Martin admitted his side were too nervous after being bailed out by a 97th-minute equaliser to draw 4-4 against Norwich.

Adam Armstrong smashed in the last-gasp penalty to end a thriller at St Mary’s – which had seen the Canaries lead three times.

But Martin, in his first appearance in the home dugout on the south coast, was frustrated with the hangover from Premier League relegation.

“It was a fair result for both teams,” admitted Martin. “I would have been really upset if we had lost and really gutted for the supporters and players.

“It was a good advertisement for the Championship. It was entertaining. I don’t think either keeper did much wrong – it is madness they both conceded four goals.

“It was a strange and crazy game and I hope we don’t have many like that.

“There were too many moments that we wouldn’t have wanted. We gave them too many moments.

“I’m angry and annoyed at conceding four goals but on the other hand I’m proud about the team’s character and being so dominant in some parts.

“We had 31 shots which is a lot so there is plenty to be proud of but still be annoyed.

“It is the first time back this season and after last year there was too much nervousness.”

There were five goals in a crazy first half, which included three goals in 344 seconds, starting with Josh Sargent’s back-post header in the seventh minute.

Southampton burst back into the match and led after Jan Bednarek collected a rebound to score his first goal since April 2022, and Armstrong converted his first penalty of the match after Shane Duffy’s handball.

Gabriel Sara and Jon Rowe both netted to give the visitors the advantage again, only for substitute Che Adams to rifle in a fine finish into the bottom corner.

Christian Fassnacht thought he had won it six minutes from time after capitalising on Ryan Manning’s miskick but Armstrong ended the helter-skelter match from the spot, after Kyle Walker-Peters had been shoved by Dimitris Giannoulis.

Norwich boss David Wagner said: “No [it wasn’t naive to concede a late penalty], under pressure and away from home those situations can happen. I thought the players worked really hard but there was a lack of concentration at the end of the game that must not happen.

“We weren’t super clinical but we still scored four goals!

“Today it was entertaining. I think you have seen two quality sides early in the season when both teams want a win. I am happy about how brave the players were but I’ve seen we have a lot of work to do.”

Adam Armstrong’s 97th-minute penalty saved Russell Martin’s St Mary’s curtain-raiser as Southampton drew a topsy-turvy 4-4 clash with Norwich.

Josh Sargent gave the Canaries an early lead before Saints hit back to claim the lead through Jan Bednarek and Armstrong’s first spot-kick.

But Norwich returned their advantage by half-time thanks to Gabriel Sara’s thunderbolt and Jon Rowe’s header.

Che Adams got Saints back level before Christian Fassnacht thought he had won it six minutes from time with his first Norwich goal, only for Armstrong’s last-gasp penalty.

Former Norwich player Martin was taking charge of Southampton at St Mary’s for the first time and aiming to become the first Saints manager since Glenn Hoddle in 2000 to win their first two league matches.

After an early sighter from Rowe, Sargent gave Martin a rude awakening to life on the south coast as the Canaries striker finished off a swift attack in the seventh minute.

Ashley Barnes had brilliantly held up the ball before releasing Jack Stacey to stand up a cross at the back post for Sargent to open his account for the season.

What came next was a frantic 344 seconds which saw the game see-saw with three goals.

It started with a recycled corner whipped back into the box by Kyle Walker-Peters, new club captain Jack Stephens’ header was saved but centre back Bednarek was on hand to smash in his first goal since April 2022 with the rebound.

Three minutes later, in the 20th minute, Will Smallbone’s cross was handled by Shane Duffy. Armstrong stepped up and converted for his second goal of the season.

But the Canaries went straight back up the other end, where Brazilian Sara controlled the ball around Smallbone before rifling into the top corner with his left foot.

Shane Duffy hit the side netting, Armstrong had a header cleared off the line and Stephens bravely blocked from Kenny McLean to continue the exhilarating first half.

Rowe managed to find a free header from a Sara corner in stoppage time to loop Norwich back into the lead.

There was little let up in the second half as Adams came off the bench for a second week in a row to find the back of the net.

The former Birmingham attacker thumped a low shot across the face of goal and into the bottom corner.

Both sides had good chances to win the game but for heroic defending and keeping. Carlos Alcaraz had one shot saved and another grazed the crossbar.

Norwich sub Fassnacht was crowded out on the counter, before Angus Gunn produced a stunning save to keep out Armstrong’s acrobatic effort.

But the Canaries took the lead for a third time with six minutes to go as Ryan Manning made a hash of clearing Dimitris Giannoulis’ cross to give Fassnacht a simple finish.

But Giannoulis’ nudge on Walker-Peters gave Armstrong his second penalty of the game. Alcaraz even had time to curl a 98th-minute effort just wide to conclude a thrilling fixture.

Hull’s management were feeling hard done by after being sunk by last-gasp goal in a 2-1 opening-day defeat against Norwich at Carrow Road.

Head coach Liam Rosenior was shown a red card by referee Keith Stroud for the angry protest which followed Adam Idah’s stoppage-time winner.

That meant he was forced to miss the post-match press conference under new rules, with assistant head coach Justin Walker standing in to air his side’s greviances.

“I have to be careful with what I say but we are very angry about the way the game was managed at the end,” he said.

“We were told there was five minutes of added time and five minutes and 15 seconds had been played when the ball was played into a neutral area. That was the time he should have blown the final whistle, so why didn’t he?

“And if the officials weren’t sure whether their player was offside or not, why was the goal allowed to stand? We also felt the corner that led to the goal shouldn’t have been given as the ball had already gone out.

“A lot of things happened at the end but the bottom line is we think the game should have finished by then.

“Having said all that there were plenty of positives to take from the game, even though there are things we need to do better, we know that. But all we are doing is talking about what happened in added time.”

Despite the controversy, it was a deserved win for Norwich who completely dominated the first half before a more evenly-matched second period.

The hosts had already had a couple of decent efforts before going behind against the run of play in the 17th minute.

On-loan Manchester City striker Liam Delap produced an emphatic finish into the roof of the net after catching Shane Duffy in possession.

But the one-sided nature of proceedings continued after that, with Norwich finally drawing level in first-half stoppage time through youngster Jonathan Rowe who fired home emphatically from just outside the box after being played through by the middle by Dimi Giannoulis.

The second half was a more tight affair, but just as it seemed as though honours would be shared substitute Idah found himself in the right place at the right time to convert from close range after a last-gasp cross had been deflected into his path off a Hull defender.

Norwich head coach David Wagner was delighted with his side’s opening-day performance.

“I know we got our winning goal right at the end but I thought it was a deserved win,” he said.

“In the first half I thought we were outstanding, creating lots of chances. We didn’t have the same level in the second half but we kept going and got our reward in the end.

“It could have been frustrating for the supporters in the first half with us not ts,aking our chance, but they kept believing and I think that got through to the players who kept believing as well.

“It was a poor goal to concede but the players reacted well and I am delighted with the way we played – coming back from 1-0 down to take all three points, everyone is happy.

“I have seen a lot of good things in pre-season and this was a continuation of that – another step in the right direction.”

A dramatic added-time goal from substitute Adam Idah made it a winning start to the new Sky Bet Championship season for Norwich as they beat Hull 2-1 at Carrow Road.

The Republic of Ireland international was in the right place at the right time in a late goalmouth melee to prod the ball home and settle an entertaining encounter.

Hull had taken the lead lead against the run of play in the first half with a well-taken goal on his debut from Liam Delap, only for the Canaries to level on the stroke of half-time with another sumptuous strike from youngster Jonathan Rowe – his first for his club.

Norwich made a bright start in the miserable conditions, with Gabriel Sara firing a decent effort just wide after just 40 seconds and Rowe grazing the outside of the upright with a low shot from distance.

But it was the visitors who got their noses in front with their first effort of the match in the 17th minute as some poor home defending was ruthlessly punished by Delap.

The on-loan Manchester City striker caught Shane Duffy in possession some 30 yards out and he outmuscled Ben Gibson before producing an emphatic finish into the top corner.

Angus Gunn then had to be alert to thwart Ozan Tufan after the ball had fell kindly for the Turkish midfielder in the area.

But apart from that the first half was all Norwich, with Duffy hitting the crossbar with a glancing header from a deep free-kick, Jack Stacey firing over when well placed and Matt Ingram producing an outstanding save to keep out a Josh Sargent header.

The hosts kept plugging away, however, and were finally rewarded in stoppage time with a cracker of a goal.

A fast-breaking Dimi Giannoulis did well to find Rowe in a central area and the young winger advanced to the edge of the box before cracking an unstoppable shot past Ingram to give a much fairer look to the half-time scoreline.

It was more of the same after the break, with Norwich on top, but the visitors almost regained the lead just past the hour mark when Delap burst through the centre before letting fly with a shot that appeared to be heading into the top corner until it was superbly tipped over by Gunn.

As the game headed into the final quarter, the Norwich threat appeared to be diminishing although Duffy should have better with a free header with 82 minutes on the clock.

It seemed as though the hosts would have to settle for a point but deep into added time they secured all three.

After a corner had only been half-cleared, the ball was fed back into the box and took a fortunate deflection to land at the feet of Idah, who steered it home from close range with Hull appealing in vain for offside.

Norwich sporting director Stuart Webber is set to leave his role at Carrow Road, the Sky Bet Championship club have announced.

Webber joined Norwich from Huddersfield in April 2017 and oversaw two successful Championship title campaigns under former head coach Daniel Farke.

However, despite replacing Dean Smith with David Wagner during last season, Webber had come in for personal criticism after the Canaries failed to mount another swift promotion back to the Premier League following relegation.

With Webber set to remain in his post and continue working a notice period through a transition, an external recruitment process to appoint a replacement has already started.

Former Norwich manager and player Neil Adams will move into the newly-created position of technical director.

Webber said on the Norwich website: “The support I’ve had from all the board, past and present, throughout my time at the club has been outstanding.

“(Joint majority shareholders) Delia (Smith) and Michael (Wynn Jones) are two of the most special people that I’ve met. They care so much about Norwich City, its staff and supporters.

“I’ve seen so many staff grow and develop, and I can’t thank them enough for their dedication.”

He added: “I look forward to the next chapter and helping as much or as little in this transition over the coming months. The board know they have my unwavering support.

“Thank you to every board and staff member, player and supporter that I’ve met. I wish the club the very best and I look forward to supporting from afar.”

In a statement, joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones paid tribute to Webber.

“When Stuart came to our home in early March to inform us he wanted to leave at the end of his contract we were devastated – whilst we obviously respected his decision,” they said.

“In our 28 years of serving this great football club we have never worked with such a talent.

“In terms of unity and mutual support we are a completely different football club to the one he joined in 2017.

“Stuart Webber has been an outstanding servant to this football club and built a strong foundation for the future.

“We are very sad to lose him, owe him much gratitude and want to wish him all the very best for the future.”

Norwich have signed Jack Stacey on a three-year deal following the defender’s release by Bournemouth.

The 27-year-old joins the Sky Bet Championship side from July 1 and becomes head coach David Wagner’s second summer signing after the arrival of Ashley Barnes from Burnley earlier this month.

Stacey featured 10 times for the Cherries in the Premier League this season and leaves after four years at the Vitality Stadium.

He told the club’s website: “I’m really looking forward to getting started. It’s a club whose ambitions match mine.

“One of the main things I spoke about with the head coach (Wagner) and with Stuart (Webber, sporting director) is playing intense, fast, forward football, something I believe will suit my style of play and something that I can fit into.”

Wagner added: “Jack is a player we’ve been aware of for some time. He has a lot of experience, throughout the Football League and in the Premier League, and a great attitude and desire to drive this football club forward.

“He has all of the characteristics that a modern-day full-back requires and knows exactly what it takes to be successful at this level.”