Leeds United-linked Stuart Webber is to leave his role of sporting director role at Norwich City. Webber has been with the Canaries since joining from Huddersfield Town in 2017 and he has helped the club to two promotions to the Premier League in that time.
However, after six years in East Anglia, he has chosen to call time on his spell with Norwich in favour of pastures new. Webber will work his notice, which reportedly means he won’t leave Carrow Road officially until March next year.
Webber has been linked to the vacant director of football role at Elland Road following the departure of Victor Orta last month and he is known to be a Leeds fan. His link to Leeds coincides with Daniel Farke, who worked alongside Webber at Norwich, becoming the bookmakers’ favourite for the head coach position at Elland Road.
The sporting director has a strong reputation in the game and, while he has discovered a number of exciting talents, he is also credited with helping Norwich grow off the field, with a state-of-the-art training facility and a blossoming academy.
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Webber previously worked at Huddersfield, Wolves, QPR, Liverpool and Wrexham before landing at Norwich.
“I just feel it’s time to do something new,” he told the Telegraph. “I’ve had lots of opportunities to leave in the past but they have never felt quite right for me and the club.
“I wanted to give the owners enough time to get the right person so it’s not a rushed decision. I’m excited about what the future holds and looking forward to my next challenge, wherever that might be.”
He added: “When we turned up it was a League One club in terms of infrastructure, with 49 Portacabins and hills in the pitches. Along the way we’ve won two Championship titles and this club has only won seven trophies in the top two divisions in its history.
“The academy was ranked 82nd out of the 92 when I arrived, we’re now 17th. The role of sporting director is to look after the short-, medium- and long-term view, but it’s also about constantly trying to break new ground.
“When the swimming pool opens in three months’ time, we’ll have a training ground which is in the top 10 in the country, and that will almost feel like my work is done.”
