Hughton Leaves St Andrews For Carrow Road

Just 24 hours after Norwich City lost their manager Paul Lambert to Aston Villa, Chris Hughton has been installed as their new boss.

The Canaries asked for permission to speak to 53 year old Hughton before Lambert had time to clear his desk at Carrow Road, now just 24 hours later, Blues are back to where they was when Alex McLeish walked out.

It`s a big blow to City who saw Hughton take his nothing budget and put together a side with new belief that they could get back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Hughton almost did that, steering his side to the play-off semi finals only to lose to Blackpool by one deflected goal.

It was much more than even the staunchest Blues fan could have expected given the players that left and the free signings that Hughton brought into the club.

Hughton said that although he was leaving with a heavy heart, he was ready for a new challenge.

‘I had a very good year [with Birmingham City] … it’s a wonderful club,’ Hughton told the club`s official website. ‘I am looking forward to the challenge in front of me.’

Lambert steered Norwich back to the Premier League during his two-year stint at the club and in their first season back in the top flight he steered them to a commendable 12th place finish.

‘It’s a wonderful achievement,’ Hughton said of his Norwich predecessor’s achievements. ‘It’s a hard act to follow … but it’s about the club moving forward.’