Even though he currently still remains at the club serving a year’s notice, Stuart Webber’s announced departure from Norwich City after six years has allowed everybody to take a breath. The sporting director has had complete control of the Canaries recruitment and appointed the head coaches during his tenure, as Delia Smith allowed him full control to mould the club in his own image.
Now, after two promotions and two relegations to and from the Premier League, it looks as though Webber could head north to Elland Road. Leeds United are on the hunt for someone of his ilk after divisive director of football Victor Orta departed in May, and Webber, although under contract until March, would be allowed to leave if Leeds pay the compensation required to release him from his rolling one-year contract.
But Leeds are also on the hunt for a new head coach as the club prepare for a full reset under their new owners. Former Canaries manager Daniel Farke is the current favourite for that job having sealed two title-winning campaigns from this level in East Anglia. He played incredibly attractive football and his first promotion was achieved against the odds with a side that wasn’t expected to challenge at the top of the division.
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He also reconnected the club with the supporters. He beat his chest after every win and there is no doubt that with his mannerisms, passion and style of football, he would quickly get the Leeds United faithful onside. Given there has felt some disconnect at Elland Road since the club decided to sack Marcelo Bielsa, bringing in Farke feels like a sure-fire thing. But would he benefit from reuniting with Webber?
For the sporting director, it would be a dream move. He’s a Leeds fan and has been pictured in the away end at several games when his Norwich commitments have allowed. At the start of his tenure, he also made some outstanding signings that gave Farke the tools to win the league. Emi Buendia joined for €1.5m from Getafe and was sold three years later to Aston Villa for £33m. Teemu Pukki was a write-off before Norwich signed him on a free, and he departed this season as one of their greatest ever goalscorers.
He’s also done some incredible work behind the scenes, not least with the development of a brand new £20m training ground and focus on academy development. Farke took on that mantle and was given time to blood youngsters such as Max Aarons and Jamaal Lewis, but it was Webber that implemented the strategy that has seen Norwich consistently bring through young talent.
He also helped set up an international scouting system that includes two scouts permanently based in South America. They contributed to the signings of Marcelino Nunez and Gabriel Sara, both talented players and the only two from that continent to have ever played for the Canaries.
But he also had some talented help behind the scenes. Former head of recruitment Kieran Scott left the club to join Middlesbrough in 2021 and his loss has been felt, while the decision to part ways with Farke in the Premier League seemed to send Webber slightly loopy. On two occasions he failed to give the manager the tools he needed to stay in the Premier League and then he sacked him for Dean Smith, who didn’t improve the side at all.
Webber’s honesty, that had served him so well in the early years, then came with a hefty dose of bitterness. He was under pressure and didn’t react well to it. “I’d never move on because of - without being rude - a few divorcees in the snake pit abusing me,” was just one of a whole host of lines that rubbed Norwich fans up the wrong way.
At one point, he told them to go and support another team if they didn’t like the style of play under Farke, before doing a bizarre interview on his dream to climb Mount Everest the evening before Norwich were relegated from the Premier League. He’s commented on his lack of interest in women’s football when he was meant to offer positivity and hope for Norwich’s female team and in general came across as a bit of a tit in recent years.
But his sometimes tasteless honesty shouldn’t eradicate the positive work he has done at the club. His first few years were exceptional, and now Norwich have a training ground that will serve them for decades to come. If Leeds United choose to go for Webber and Farke, they are likely to serve them well. The German manager in particular can make Leeds fans fall in love with their club again. But be prepared for some no holds barred honesty from Webber, one of the bluntest men in football.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
