Shock as promoted Norwich City Women sack head coach

Fans of Norwich City Women's football team say they hope the club has a plan after the head coach was sacked days after securing promotion.

The club announced on Tuesday that it had parted ways with Andy Cook and assistant coach Ethan Scott.

The news comes days after the team beat Moneyfields at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton-on-Trent on Sunday, promoting them to the third tier of the National League.

Superfan Nicole Nicholls said: "It was a big surprise - it kind of came out of nowhere and as shocking as it is, it's football and clubs make these decisions - we've got to hope they have a plan in place."

Cook joined the Canaries in 2024 from Newcastle United Women and has been involved in the women's football circuit since 2018.

Speaking after the match, Cook said promotion was "unbelievable" and he was "really excited for the future".

"We had to trust the players, we had to believe in them and they delivered.

"We've got to make sure we are ready for tier three because.. it's a ruthless league.

"Me and Flo [Allen] have had conversations in-house of what could happen should we be tier three or tier four - and now we can execute what we want."

Flo Allen, head of women's football at Norwich City, said Cook had been "set a clear objective" of achieving third tier promotion when he joined the club and parting ways had been an "incredibly difficult" decision.

She said: "I have huge appreciation for the work that Andy has done to get us over the line in doing that.

"Despite that, we have taken stock of what we believe is required to move our programme forward and to ensure that we not only sustain tier three status, but remain competitive on the pitch moving forward."

It will now look to appoint a new head coach and assistant coach.

While Nicholls said Cook had made an "incredible contribution" to the club, she said Allen and Ben Knapper needed a vision on how to take it forward.

She said: "Andy and the whole coaching staff has been incredible, they seem to get the best from the players.

"You can't dull the fact that he's just got us promotion — the thing the club has wanted for the past seasons and pushed for.

"Fans are valid in their feelings of being shocked and upset about it but all we can do is continue to follow the team because at the end of the day they're the ones we go and see every week."

Other fans took to social media to share their shock after it was announced in a post on X.

One said: "Crazy decision for people so passionate and committed! Achieve your objective and get the sack?! How does that work?! Surely you set a new objective?"

Another said: "Bizarre decision given Andy's given track record in tier 3."

A third said: "No room for sentimentality. Respect their decision to make the unpopular decision if they think it's right for the progression of the team."

BBC Radio Norfolk's Norwich City Women's reporter Jack Maclean said: "I was completely taken by surprise, it's one I didn't see coming and I'm not sure it's one Andy Cook saw coming either.

"This is a manager who has coached some amazing players... he's a tier three coach as well."

He described the decision as a "really brave" and big move for the club.

"It is a gamble and if it's a gamble that pays off, tier three is going to be difficult, we still don't know if they are going to be in south or north.

"It means they are taking it seriously and it wouldn't surprise me if we saw a lot of change in the playing staff as well."

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